Being a writer myself, I probably tend to look at the books I read with more of an analytical eye than the average reader. I was quite impressed with Chi Kung Master, Luk Chun Bond's The First 16 Secrets Of Chi, Feng Shui for the Human Body, so much so that I would give it a 5 star rating. It contains a wealth of information and even includes a diet chapter, yet it is neither boring nor technical. The personal information on Master Bond is quite fascinating and his instructions on how the exercises are done are exceptionally clear and well illustrated as they are shown in the sitting position as well as standing so that even handicapped individuals can learn the exercises. It is well organized and even indexes specific ailments, telling which exercises target them.

Janet R. Shaw
author of The Ambersand Castle Trilogy (philosophical fantasy)
and Intuitives, The Mariah Collection (poetry, songs, and poetic prose)

I joined Master Bond's Chi Kung class because of my chronic high blood pressure. I do my chi kung exercises every morning for an hour.
Last year, my 3 visits to my internist, pressure was 138/76, 128/76 & 132/78. My pressure is great now; thanks to chi kung.
There's a book "The First 16 Secrets of Chi" by Master Bond. This book has illustrations of Master Bond doing different exercises for different ailments.
There's also the Green Diet Section. In the green diet they say to eat more yin and nuetral food to balance the yang foods. There's a list of yin, yang and neutral foods.
I recommend this book to all. It's a must read book.
Janet

I have read Master Luk Chun Bond's book, THE FIRST 16 SECRETS OF CHI, FENG SHUI FOR THE HUMAN BODY, and attend his classes held at Kapiolani Park in Honolulu, Hawaii. I am an asthmatic, with asthma which was so severe at one time, that I had difficulty walking and climbing stairs, and spent a lot of time in hospital emergency rooms, awaiting medical treatment to help me breathe easier, sometimes being admitted to the hospital by emergency room doctors. Because CHI KUNG is a form of breathing power therapy, learning how to breathe deeply and properly has helped me to strengthen my lungs and I no longer need to take my daily asthma medication, nor do I experience asthma attacks which require hospitalization. The most dramatic event which occurred and proved how beneficial CHI KUNG has been for me was when the elevator broke down in a high-rise building in downtown Honolulu, where I work part time. All of the elevators were shut down as a result. The building security officer allowed those of us who had to get to work on the upper floors to use the back stairs. My office was on the twenty-first floor of the building and I was able to climb those flights of steep stairs with only one small rest stop, arriving at my office with no breathing problems. Thanx to CHI KUNG, today, I walk miles to get to places I need to get to without having to stop to catch my breath and climbing stairs is no longer a burden for me.

Steve Gaffney has captured the essence of communication and he shows, in simple terms, how to effectively deal with the most common problems that affect our professional and personal relationships. His vivid examples and practical suggestions come together in an easy-to-read book full of helpful information. I would recommend it to anyone who regularly communicates with others!

This book is awesome!
We'd have a lot less problems in this world if everyone read this and implemented the simple steps Steven points out.
The book will help you in all facets of your life!

What makes this book GREAT is the specfic examples, stories, and tips that Steven Gaffney provides.

It is good to describe principles and theories and to relate why it is essential to be honest and have great character, but this book brings these important elements to life with real storIes and examples and practical advice and ideas.

The "notice" versus "imagine" concept is so simple (now that I've read it), but it is so overlooked in everyday communication and relationships.

Loved the story about Mike Tyson. Steven got himself into a real pickle with his encounter with Tyson. We can all learn from this example of what not to do.

An easy read with solid content.

Outstanding! Mark's style of writing is so engaging, down-to-earth, and motivating --I couldn't pull myself away! I've been behind the scenes on several film projects and can't believe they had the audacity to shoot without knowing what Mark shares in this book. My highlighter is nearly empty! When it comes to marketing a project, ignorance is certainly not bliss! Mark's book is an absolute MUST HAVE if you plan to DO something with your film other than show your parents!

With the information I gleaned from this text, I can now rival the Hollywood marketing machine in promoting my movie! I learned how to research, contact and get results from the media best-suited for my independent film, as well as what NOT to do when working with these people. Also, the book taught how to move around the traditional distribution system and get copies of my movie into video stores, libraries, Best Buy and others. Good stuff!

I couldn't believe the amount of information in this great new book. Bosko covers absolutely every angle of independent film distribution, from finding your movie's hook, to creating a presentation package, to researching and contacting the correct distributors, making a deal, and maybe, most importantly, what to do when all that fails (self distribution). Bosko never shys away from telling of his own misfortunes in this trade, and it helps the reader relate and learn as they go. Plus a huge appendix and offer from Bosko to email him direct anytime - what a great resource!

I was mesmorized by this book! Herb Ritts has the ability to not ownly create a beautiful portrait, but to capture I personality of his models. Each photograph tells a fabulous story of fantasy, glamour, and often just everyday life. I would highly recommend this collection. Among my favorite celebrity photos: Johnny Depp on the set of Edward Scissorhands, Jim Carrey dressed as a Mermaid, Tom Cruise on the set of Mission Impossible 2, the tattooed arm of Axle Rose, and a mysterious grin by Roy Lichtenstein. These photos are also large enough (most are at least 8x10) to remove and frame.

As an amateur photographer, I have always found Herb Ritts to be one of the greatest modern photographers living. Similiar to many celebrity photographers such as Richard Avedon, David LaChapelle, and Annie Liebowitz, Ritts captures the essence that is celebrity perfectly. Whether it is the photograph of Madonna and Sean Pean as a loving couple, or a gathering of today's top supermodels (all nude) Ritts has an eye for detail, as well as an approach few photographers nowadays don't utilize, direct communication with your subjects. In the past (and even in the present) celebrity photography can be a pain as many celebrities tend to want their agents around them whenever there is a shoot.

Many of Ritts photographs in this compilation happen to be of a homoerotic nature. Ritts, who is openly gay, captures the essence of male sexuality perfect, and the results can be enjoyed by anyone regardless of their orientation.

I hope in the future Ritts comes out with another huge compilation of his work. His recent work with such celebrities such as Monica Lewinsky and Janet Jackson should be published in a volume, but for the meanwhile, purchase this book for your coffee table or library. It will make an interesting topic of conversation with anyone. Ritts is pure genius!

It is excellent. Sensual, lyrical, erotic, powerful, sometimes whimsical and as hot as the Arizona sun. Ritts is America's Rennaisance photographer and his pictures and videos of Jan and Michael Jackson, Madonna, Cindy, Nicholson, etal, etal, are must-views in exhibit, too. His work is up there with contemporaries Leibowitz, Scavullo and helmut newton...you have got to see his work!

As an aspiring young filmmaker, the first thing I was told to do was go out and get a copy of the Filmmaker's Handbook. Imagine my surprise when I found out that the book had been updated in March of 1999, and that now it included all kinds of information about the digital age. I have learned so much from this book. The book goes over the entire film process, and does it in a straight-forward manner. It is a great start for beginners, yet it includes a rich amount of information for the professional. Anyone who has ever thought about a career in film really needs to get a copy of this book. Written in a manner that neither patronizes nor confuses the reader, the Filmmaker's Handbook is the best book I have skimmed or read on film, and believe me, I've looked at a lot.

I'm getting into film production but don't have time to attend a real film school. And I'm basically interested in the mechanics of filmmaking - so this book The Filmmkaer's Handbook is perfect.

It gets down to all the basics of filmmaking. If you want to know what a line producer does, how light meters work and the ratio of film stock to projection, this is the book for you.

It's thick but easy to read with nice B&W illustrations. As a novice and somebody who wants to know how a movie is made this book is perfect. I was really impressed by how simple and to the point this book was on the mechanics and made it an easy read. I will keep in hand at all times for reference as well!

Very well done and exactly what I was looking for in a filmmaking book!

The media has traditionally been an extremely specialized, not to mention prohibitively expensive, field. With the introduction of digital production and editing, however, the material costs and requirements for video and audio production is decreasing rapidly, with quality levels already remarkably high and increasing annually.

This book provides a superlative introduction and overview to all of the key subjects in producing a lower- to higher- budget film. Though the title makes reference to the digital age, analog equipment is discussed when pertinent as well, and compared to existing and emerging digital technologies.

The technicalities of optics for lenses is fully detailed, as are filters, microphones, stands and other equipment, recommendations for each field of what emergency supplies to have on hand, editing and previewing equipment, software, to name but a few of the countless topics covered. A truly comprehensive and detailed work.

Anyone with a serious interest in this field can learn from this book the fundamentals needed to get started in extremely high quality digital production. Given the materials and information provided, the cost of the book is truly remarkable. Any reader will complete any section feeling like an expert on the subject. One does not have to begin with experience in the digital arena, however, nor even in video production. Even as technical as this work is, it leads the reader very carefully through all which is pertinent and necessary.

A single possible minor shortcoming, is the description of the process of digitizing analog recordings or an actual/ambient environment, into a digital format. One totally unfamiliar with digital concepts may find the analogies provided a bit difficult to follow. It provides enough of a foundation, however, that an interested reader can seek out more technical and/or accurate descriptions of this process. A very small criticism to an otherwise truly excellent work.

I did not realize how resourceful a book this was until I actually sat down and looked through it. I had this book and another fashion illustration book (by Kathryn Hagen) for six months and all this time, I was referencing the other book only to gain insignificant knowledge of fashion illustration. While the other book contains beautifully drawn illustrations, it did little to enlighten me to the techniques, which is important when learning.

I didn't look through Steven Stipelman's book before because I deemed it boring and uninteresting based on a brief flip through. When I actually sat down to start reading it, it all seemed to make sense. What Mr. Stipelman does that other books on this topic fail to really do is to talk about technique and concepts. He outlines standards for drawing croquis (working sketch) in steps, which is a must because a croquis is a foundation for fashion illustrations and will eventually lead to a final drawing.

He also applies the step by step explanation of how to do different poses and how clothing rests on the body in different ways. A big bonus is that he also provides a historical background wherever he can to each section because each period of time had its own ideal for "the" silhouette or body type. It really just ties in well because you get a broader understanding of fashion's past and its relation to the current ideals of fashion.

Whereas some fashion illustration books merely display pages of illustrations done by the author or professionals in the fashion industry, this book is written and arranged in such a way that you feel you're actually in the classroom being taught one-on-one all that it takes to illustrate fashion effectively and beautifully.

Oh, I've just received the book, the illiustrating skill is excellent, but it would be much better if can publish with colour, since steven's painting is very beautiful also !!!!

This book is a great resource for anyone who wants to learn figure drawing and clothing. I am studying costume design and found this book to be a great help to me though it is written for fashion illustration. He shows how to draw the basic figure and head as well as other details such as patterns and knits. There is even a chapter on Jewelry!

When I recieved it I was pleased to find that it is a well-bound sturdy (text)book that will survive frequent use and reference on my desk. Though there aren't any color drawings or examples (you will have to find another place to learn about painting and such) this a fantastic book that includes everything else. Another reviewer pointed out that all of the drawings in this book are from the author, which is maybe a bit disappointing, but you don't have to look very far to find other books or magazines with examples.

Though these few things are missing, this book has everything that you need to know to draw the fashion figure, especially if you already have some experience with the art media you wish to use.

I was born in 1960, so I was a little to young to appreciate the "Summer Of Love", Haight-Ashbury and the entire late 60's counter-culture movement. My fascination with that era began with Jimi Hendrix and other musicians associate with it. Most of the social aspects I was aware of were written by the "slanted" view of the media, teachers, politicians and parents; not the most objective of viewpoints
When I heard about this book I picked it up ... ASAP and was not disappointed. I will not go into lengthy discussions of this book like other reviewers (or even spell all the words correctly). While reading, Jay Stevens was placing me "there", "right there" where is was all happening from Aldous Huxley, to Timothy Leary and Ken Kesey.
The story unfolds "expertly" and the characters involved are so well described, it feels like I've met them personally.
While much of the information is public knowledge, there are many fascinating, generally unknown tidbits: from the CIA's LSD involvement to insights on Leary & Kesey.
Anyone who holds any interest in this subject will not be disappointed with this book. From someone who grew up on The Brady Bunch, The Monkees & Happy Days....this book is a definite eye opener into a cultural wave I wish I had been riding.... so "Turn On, Tune In & Get This Book".

In the spirit of the subject matter, the best word to describe this book is...cool. The author appears to have a genuine desire to objectively explore the history, for better or worse, of LSD and its role in American culture. Stevens does not approach this work being for nor against LSD. He just looks. As a result, this book comes out with flying colors...pun intended.

This book is a diamond in the rough for those who wish to take that same exploratory approach in reading about LSD and the history of this potent and controversial drug. It's not geared for people who are vehemently pro/anti LSD. Preconceived notions should be checked at the door before embarking on this adventure.

Stevens looks at LSD from its very beginnings, where characters such as Hoffman, Osmond, and Huxley help pave the way for much of what comes later in the book. As the narrative moves on, familiar names such as Ginsberg, Leary, Burroughs, Kerouac, Alpert, Metzner, Kesey, Cassady, Weil, Watts, and Wolfe, among others, enter and exit the stage like bit actors in this great showcase. If you've ever been enamored with the doings of any of those names, this book weaves a pattern from threads of various legacies in one fascinating tapestry.

As a caveat to the above paragraph, none of those characters is covered in much detail, with the exception of Timothy Leary. This is more a result of Leary's intense involvement with the scene than Stevens' focusing on one extraordinary character. Some of those people (Burroughs, for instance) make very brief but interesting appearances.

In addition to those mentioned, many unknown but intriguing characters fill the pages of this book. More than likely, every one of them will lead you to read on, until another name segues into the narrative. Stevens does a great job researching this story and presenting it to the reader in one piece.

Every time I review a book I do my best to find something which was lacking, no matter how much I enjoyed it. In this particular case, I have a hard time pinpointing anything to find fault with. The only complaint I might have is that it was too short. One imagines that pages and pages of material never made it to press and it's a shame this book had to end where it did. I would have kept reading if it were twice as long.

I do have to cede a point that one other reviewer makes. He comments that the prevalence of 5 star ratings, "reflects the weirdness and coolness of the events portrayed rather than the history itself." I do have to lend some credence to that point and admit that this may be true. However, as this subject matter is relatively new to me, the book still rates 5 stars in terms of an introduction to the subject. As a history on the subject, it's the role of the author to tell the story, and Stevens does that well.

In all, a great read. A fascinating perspective brought to you by someone trying to elucidate the ups and downs of LSD and the movement it helped create. Again, this is not going to be a favorite of the pro-LSD hippie or the anti-drug conservative. But for those of you who want a fairly balanced, comprehensive view of the history of LSD and how it influenced culture in America, I strongly recommend this book.

Very well done.

Let's get a couple of things straight: No, I am not the author. No, I'm not related to the author. So despite the name, I think I'm pretty unbiased, although some might think otherwise after reading the following glowing review of Jay Stevens' book, "Storming Heaven."

This was a great book.

Mr. Stevens tracks LSD from its inception through San Francisco's "the Summer of Love" in late 60s. He artfully describes the discovery of the drug and its effect on the psychologists who first used it on their patients and on themselves. He introduces Alduous Huxley, Tim Leary, and Ken Kesey-the pied pipers of LSD-and explains their fascination for psychedelics. He discusses the drug's decline, its unpopularity with government officials, its abuse by "untrained" American kids, and the progressive marginalization of the drug's "prophets." And all the while, Stevens skillfully gives voice to the drug's proponents' vision of a "metal frontier" to be crossed using LSD, pushing human beings along the evolutionary path.

It is clear from Mr. Stevens' book that LSD played a major role in the fundamental changes wrought in the 1960s. LSD tore down personal constructs and unveiled egos. LSD gave everyday Americans a chance to experience mystical visions. LSD gave many new insight into the nature of being. It was a psychological drug, and explains why most of the social change that occurred in the 1960s was psychological in nature.

But while Mr. Stevens in his Epilogue seems to laud the continuation of psychological exploration by a handful of "inner" explorers who use a series of newly developed designer psychedelics, I think he misrepresents the importance of these drugs.

First, the assumption that LSD will lead man (and woman) along the evolutionary path assumes that this path is straight and pointed in a forward direction. That is, that evolution is a natural process from simple to complex, from amoebas to man and beyond. Instead, science now concludes that evolution is more of a willy-nilly process. Species constantly bloom a number of seemingly useless mutations, and changes in environment conditions dictate which mutation reigns supreme. After all, it seems that the next species to inherit the planet is likely to be the cockroach, for the cockroach has the rigor and hardiness to withstand the destruction of the planet by humans. And cockroaches are hardly superior in intelligence or complexity.

Second, is the assumption that LSD can "lead" us anywhere. While LSD gives visions, reveals fundamental truths about personality, it doesn't change anything. It's up to the individual in the end to enact change, to mutate. We only have to look at the example of Tim Leary to realize this. While Mr. Leary was turned on to the drug and believed its in therapeutic value, in the text he remained a womanizing, upperly-mobile egoist; he just traded in his tweed for buckskin, and academia for psychedelia.

Basically LSD is a shortcut. It's a quick-fix buzz. In that way, it's the ideal substance for America. "Vision in a can." "Become a mystic in 12 easy hours." I would've liked to Mr. Stevens explore this facet of LSD a little more. But he seems to be totally enchanted with the cosmic possibilities...

In any case, the writing is superb. It's the perfect book to read to begin exploring the important texts of the 20th century bohemian movement. Read this alongside "Brave New World," "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest," "On the Road," "Electric Cool-Aid Acid Test," and "Howl," among other texts.

This book is really amazing. I thought that this was a very detailed book about John Michael Hayes and his rise to being a screenwriter, and how he came to work with Alfred Hitchcock. There are some great photos included that I've NEVER seen anywhere else before from Rear Window, To Catch a Thief, and more. I must say this is the best book that I've read about Hitchcock (and especially the best when it comes to talking about Rear Window). Whether you read this book for educational purposes or just pure enjoyment, you will be glad that you got it. I really recommend this to anyone that may wonder how a movie really comes about....how the REAL men do it!

At last someone has challenged the myth that Hitchcock did everything himself. Not so. He had some very skilled writers whose talents helped make his films so memorable. One of those writers - perhaps the most important - was John Michael Hayes, whose screenplays for Rear Window, To Catch a Thief, Trouble with Harry and the remake of The Man Who Knew Too Much, had a tremendous impact on Hitchcock's films of the fifties, and on the way we view Hitchcock today.

In "Writing With Hitchcock", Steven DeRosa gives Hayes his long overdue credit. Hayes' contributions to each of the films are described in detail, as are the steps taken by the censors to reign things in - to protect audiences from the idea that Cary Grant and Grace Kelly would have premarital relations, or that Jimmy Stewart and Doris Day's boy was kidnapped, are just a couple of examples! Each film is gone over in detail from the writing phase to release, and the reader is given a chance to see the relationship between the writer and director blossom, and then die.

There are lots of anecdotes and a summarizing of both Hitchcock and Hayes' careers after they parted which is very illuminating, especially the potential sequel to Rear Window that Hayes worked on that would have been far more interesting than the Chris Reeve tv version. The final chapter is an analysis of each of the screenplays, and this was especially interesting to me as an aspiring screenwriter. Well worth the price of admission! I only wish it was in hardcover.

One of the most important writers to work side by side with Alfred Hitchcock was John Michael Hayes, who collaborated with the director on Rear Window, To Catch a Thief, The Trouble with Harry, and The Man Who Knew Too Much. These films made over a two-year period (1953-55) lifted Hitchcock to a level of popularity at a time when he seemed to be growing out of touch with his audience.

This fascinating book details the relationship between Hayes and Hitchcock, exploring how the two collaborated on the writing and production of the films. Relying on a mass of documents from studio records to Hitchcock's and Hayes' personal papers, as well as anecdotal accounts, Steven DeRosa chronicles the ups and downs of this collaboration, and then analyzes the films themselves. DeRosa presents a fresh and complex portrait of the director while also providing one of the best accounts of the process of writing for film and the indignities screenwriters often endure.

I saw the movie & was blown away by it. I wouldn't recommend this book to people who haven't seen the movie or read SPR: THE NOVEL. This book isn't good for people who can't stand seeing gory pictures. Seeing them really brings back memories from the film. The horrors of war can be found in this book, the film, & novel. It also has some of the actor's feelings about the film & what they went through with the making of Saving Private Ryan. GET IT!

Saving Private Ryan and The Triumph and the Glory have sparked an interest in me about WWII. The novel isn't quite as good as the movie but anyway this book is a great behind the scenes look at the making of a terrific movie.

Saving Private Ryan is purely unique. The movie itself was breathtaking, making you wake up and realize that these people, mere teenagers, were risking all they ever knew to rid the world of the Nazi terror. It blew me away to think that this really happened in our world, that we could kill our brothers without knowing why. This book is truely a great companion to the film. It gives you the little things you may have missed while watching the movie, and helps you understand the movie better. I reccommend this book to the Saving Private Ryan enthusiast, and to anyone who wants to know more about this period in history. I congratulate the makers of the film and the writers of the book for helping the world to remember the events and tragedies of the Second World War. I pray that through great accomplishments like these masterpieces, we shall not forget how lucky we really are and how important it is for this not to happen again, for the good of all mankind.

I am a graduate mechanical engineering student and I have found that ALL engineers today are required to have a GOOD fundamental understanding of electricity and electronics. The most difficult of electronic concepts to grasp for the uninitiated is DSP. After skimming through other books and becoming quite frustrated hacking my way through others I have found not only the best introduction to DSP in publication, but also one of the best technical books I've ever seen...and I read a lot of technical books outside of required texts. Excellent job by the author...books like this do not come around often enough.

There are very few textbooks that you can simply pick up and read without more than a rudimentary knowledge of the subject matter. This is an example of such a book. This text has been able to introduce a complex topic (dsp) while keeping the interest of the expert reader. In short, this book is for anyone who is even remotely interested in dsp.

I definitely give it a full thumbs up!!!

It takes an expert to be able to explain a complicated subject, and Steve Smith is one of those rare experts.

I had no previous experience with signal processing. Within a week of reading this book, I was able to write FFTs, high pass, low pass, and windowed sinc filters in C.

As a bonus, his clear description of convolution, complex numbers, Fourier transform, Laplace transform and Z transform made them all "click".

The only other book I've read that has been able to explain a complicated subject with this level of clarity is Richard Feynman's Physics Lecture series.

Thanks Steve!