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Book reviews for "Steensma,_Robert_Charles" sorted by average review score:

Fundamental Concepts in the Design of Experiments
Published in Hardcover by International Thomson Publishing (1983)
Author: Charles Robert Hicks
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Statistics by example only - very little theory/concepts
After using this book for a class, we all agreed that this book was not the best for those of us who are just learning the concepts in analyzing variance. The author tends to assume the basics are "hard-coded" into the students head. Fair enough. His next step, however, is not to discuss the theory/concept. Rather, it is to give an example of what he is talking about, hoping you will grasp the concept. It would very helpful to have the concepts explained and then the examples given. In addition, the notation (subscripts) are not always explained, nor are the formulas obvious/straightforward. Finally, the book has editing problems.

A better editor and supplementary manuals (step-by-step explanation of concepts and formulas, SPSS instruction, etc.) would be a big help.

My recommendation would be to find another book from which you will learn statistics.

Fundamental Concepts in the Design of Experiments
This book is very valuable for those actively engaged in the conduct of experiments, either operational or developmental in nature. It does require someone with a background in statistical methods using analysis of variance. The user needs to have a good understanding of statistical inference. There are many good working models of various analytic procedures provided.

Excellent, if you already know theoretical statistics
This book is written for people who already know the theory of statistics and want to do statistic consulting.

The author begins with the basics of design of experiments: experiment, design and analysis. Then a brief (lovely) review of statistical inference follows; including: Estimation, test of hypothesis, power function and some easy applications.

In the following chapters almost all statistical methods are presented; among others: single factor experiments, randomized block and latin square, factorial experiments, nested, experiments of two or more factors, 2^f -, 3^f factorials, split plot design, Taguchi, regression and finally miscellaneous topics including covariance analysis, response-surface experimentation and more.

After each chapter there are problems and answers to odd-numbered problems can be found at the end of the book. Included is a practical summery with all methods presented in one table. Additionally you find a glossary of terms used in statisics, statistical tables and an index.

The examples in the book are analysed using SAS. Knowing that S-Plus is much easier to handle (and knowing that SAS is frequently used in the industry), this is very useful.

The mathematics used is easy, but - as mentioned in the preface - the fundamental concepts of statistical inference must be known.


Robert Oppenheimer Letters and Recollections
Published in Paperback by Harvard Univ Pr (1981)
Authors: Robert Oppenheimer, Alice K. Smith, and Charles Weiner
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Very disappointing and quite boring
A good book of letters should bring its subject to life for the reader. This book is dry to the point of being brittle. At no time time during the reading of this book did I get any sense of what Oppenheimer was feeling or experiencing. Oppenheimer was involved with one of the pivotal events of this century and the whole experience comes off like a trip to a neighborhood store. The recollections mentioned in the title are not those of Oppenheimer but of friends and family. Like the rest of the book their thoughts and memories add little to the understanding of Oppenheimer's life and work.

A peek at an enigma
J. Robert Oppenheimer was better at keeping himself hidden than most people, and you won't learn a lot about him from these letters, but it does a give a rare, patial glimpse of a very mysterious person.

A great reference!
This book is not meant as general reading. For more colorful writing, see Smith's _A Peril and a Hope_. Letters and Recollections is, however, an incredibly valuable resource for those of us researching the time period and Oppenheimer. There were letters, interviews, and insights that I simply could not have obtained anywhere else. Smith has a personal connection with Los Alamos, and that shows in her writing and sources. She gives an side to Oppenheimer like no other book I've read (and trust me, I've read a lot of them). Thank you, A.K.S.!


Mitchum: In His Own Words
Published in Hardcover by Proscenium Pub (01 July, 2000)
Authors: Robert Mitchum, Jerry Roberts, Robert Ebert, Charles Champlin, and Roger Ebert
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Nice job of xeroxing some old articles
This book about a major movie star was put together with a minimum of effort. If it took more than two days to xerox or get a transcript of these old interviews I would be surprised. The book is short and padded at the end with random quotes by or about Mitchum. You can digest this book in about thirty minutes. Mitchum is amusing as an interview subject but the interviews are mostly question and answer and have no context and the questioners often don't know much about Mitchum's career or at least don't know when he's got his facts right or wrong. Most of the interviews were done during publicity jaunts so you get a superficial, one-sided view of the actor's experiences. If that's all you want to know about Mitchum and his movies okay but otherwise this is a waste of money.

PJ Peake's Personal opinion
Having read another book written by Mitch's brother John(which I might add was VERY good) this is next to that. This was previously taped interviews and various stories told by Mitch himself. His wife, son Chris and Rodger Ebert also were involved. It is a real must for any Mitchum fan!! For those who are not familiar with his style, it will be up to them to figure out what many of the hosts had to discover about the star much to their delight. This book has many parts, such as quotes, documentaries etc. Truly a delight to read with many surprises. PJ Peake


Baudelaire in English (Penguin Classics)
Published in Paperback by Penguin USA (Paper) (1998)
Authors: Robert Sykes, Carol Clark, and Charles P. Baudelaire
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translation in cultural perspective
Prof Carol Clark and Prof Robert Sykes in their 40-page introduction put the English translation of Baudelaire in a cultural perspective. Excellent example of translation studies.


Bird Behavior
Published in Hardcover by Knopf (1999)
Authors: Robert Burton, Jane Burton, Kim Taylor, Charles Elliott, and Bruce Campbell
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International scope
A real strength of this book is its broad scope; both in range of species, and in wide range geographically. Within a few pages there will pictures of the vulturine guinea fowl, the white-breasted nuthatch, and a red-throated diver (loon). The pictures are spectacular, whether it is wandering albatross courtship, an upside-down emperor bird-of-paradise, or a common bee-eater offering his mate a dragonfly. A minor annoyance is that the location of the species pictured is not usually listed. The text covers a wide range of species, and focuses on describing the behavior, but not allot of deeper evolutionary discussion. Some researcher names are mentioned, but there are no citations or sources for further reading. I think the book might be considered an informative, coffee-table book.


Customer Service: Extraordinary Results at Southwest Airlines, Charles Schwab, Lands' End, American Express, Staples, and Usaa
Published in Hardcover by DIANE Publishing Co (1998)
Authors: Fred Wiersema and Robert Spector
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Good ideas...but something missing
The book deals with the concept of customer service in 6 important companies through the description of what each of the companies does, told by the executives themselves.
There are many good ideas and rules that can be applied to any business and that will translate in an improvement in customer service.
On the other hand, as each of the procedures and systems are described by the people participating in them, I feel it is a parcial story. We have only the good side, the benefits and the final stages. What I miss is the process to reach the actual situation.
If I would like to implement some of the ideas presented in the book, what would be the problems I might face ? We can also learn from the failures that these companies surely had when implementing their systems.


Fundamentals of Momentum, Heat, and Mass Transfer
Published in Hardcover by John Wiley & Sons (2000)
Authors: James Welty, Charles E. Wicks, Robert E. Wilson, and Gregory L. Rorrer
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A Good Book
This is a easy entrance book for graduated students. Chemical Engineers will be safe with this.


Liberty and Community: Canadian Federalism and the Failure of the Constitution
Published in Hardcover by State Univ of New York Pr (1991)
Author: Robert Charles Vipond
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A bit rough
Some of vipond's arguments are flimsy and easily torn to shreds. While the writing has a good feel to it overall I found the book hard to swallow...


The Spiritual Life: Selected Writings of Albert Schweitzer (Ecco Companions)
Published in Paperback by Ecco (1996)
Authors: Albert Schweitzer, Robert Coles, Bob, Senator Kerrey, and Charles R. Joy
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An Inroduction To Schweitzer
Albert Schweitzer wrote on a wide range of topics. This book is an excellent introduction to Schweitzer's views on art, music, philosophy, religion, ethics, colonialism, science, and more. What I found frustrating is that the book consists of short extracts from Schweitzer's writings. It is like looking at still photographs of scenes from a movie rather than watching the complete film. Or eating appetizers and never getting the full meal. The book's format did not allow me to experience the fullness of Schweitzer's thoughts on any subject. To be fair, the editor, Charles R. Joy, states that it is his hope that the reader will be motivated to read Schweitzer's works in their full as a result of reading this anthology. I appreciated the biographical chronology at the end of the book. It gave a good overview of Schweitzer's work and extensive travels.


What Darwin Really Said
Published in Hardcover by Schocken Books (1966)
Author: Benjamin, Farrington
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good intro doesnt give credit due
a good introduction to darwins thought.it points out many things that he was wrong on but it cannot be said as the author points out as darwin simply pushing on ideas of other people


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