When the Marines faced potentially hostile crowds during UN troop withdrawals from Somalia, they were equipped with weapons designed to incapacitate without maiming or killing. They had foam laced with tear gas, guns that ejected a sticky, quickly hardening material to slow the crowd's movement, small rounds of wooden pellets and hard sponge that could knock rioters down, temporarily disabling them. According to Nick Lewer and Steven Schofield, the two British authors of this highly readable and comprehensive monograph, such non-lethal weapons could in future include acoustic, chemical, and bacteriological agents that could incapacitate crowds (or terrorists) ever more effectively.

In conventional regional conflicts, our chief concern becomes destroying the enemy's equipment while minimizing civilian casualties. Lewer and Schofield explain that the technology exists for weaponry of this kind, which could be used against rogue states, such as Iraq. It might include cruise missiles with electromagnetic pulse (EMP) warheads to render command and control centers inoperable; lasers to blind an enemy's optical equipment; caustic materials to disable tanks by fusing their moving parts or devouring their gaskets.

The authors argue that these weapons are not simply capabilities in search of missions. Rather, they think, technology is converging with operational necessity, as the revolution in military affairs (RMA) allows us to improve our ability to deal with today's increasingly unorthodox and irregular battlefields. U.S.forces trying to draw order from chaos, respond to terrorist threats, operate in urban areas, and attack a regional bully's army but not his civilian population will continue to see the advantages of non-lethal weapons.

This book presents a whole host of ethical, legal, and operational issues raised by the development of such weapons. Can the expectation of minimal casualties be met? What percentage of bruising ordnance may inadvertently kill? What international laws or domestic statutes - passed in an earlier technological environment - might the use of such weapons violate? How might the public react to weapons that blind but do not kill? These issues need exhaustive analysis as the Pentagon threads its way between operational advantage and domestic acceptability in deciding which non-lethal weapons it will incorporate into its post-Cold War operational doctrine. Above all, it will have to consider what constraints should exist on the development of weapons that would be more likely than their deadlier counterparts to be used against domestic dissidents?

To ensure that its non-lethal arsenal not only complies with international and national law but registers domestic and global sensibilities, the Defense Department has established an interdisciplinary research and development advisory group. This new Joint Non-Lethal Weapons Directorate will receive counsel from a Human Effects Advisory Panel whose members will cumulatively have the scientific and medical expertise to judge some of the issues non-lethal weapons development raises. The Panel will itself receive analyses from the Pennsylvania State University's Institute for Non-lethal Defense Technologies. The Institute has assembled experts from throughout the university community. From the College of Engineering come scientists who will test the technologies; from the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences, geologists who will evaluate their effects on the weather; from the Environmental Resource Research Institute, analysts who will assess their environmental impact; from the College of Medicine, physicians who will consider their medical effects; from the College of Health and Human Development, researchers who will provide estimates of their biomechanical and neuroendocrinal effects. The Department of Political Science will provide scholars who will try to anticipate the domestic political consequences, while lawyers from the Dickinson School of Law will warn of legal implications.

For all those engaged or interested in this project, Non-Lethal Weapons: A Fatal Attraction? Military Strategies and Technologies for 21st Century Conflict will make an excellent primer. The authors describe the daunting range of capabilities that could be placed in the R&D pipeline. They explain the essentials of each technology, and set it against the background of the medical, legal, and ethical restraints that could limit development and use. They show how such weapons have been used in the past, describe current, experimental programs for their development, and discuss how non-lethal weapons might be incorporated into future military doctrine. The book ends with a Bosnia-type scenario - both plausible and imaginative -- in which an interventionary force uses many of the capabilities they have been discussing. In sum, this book is vital reading for anyone with a professional interest in military affairs or a wish for a better understanding of a serious emerging issue that may have profound implications for the future of civil-military relations.

Louise Ferguson and her colleagues present a unique set of topics on the olive (Olea europaea), its growth and development and downstream processing of the olive fruit for eating and olive oil production. Topics include varieties, nutrition, planning olive groves, water requirements, pruning and training as well as propogating methods and pest management. This text, an international standard for olive production, has been developed from the research activities of the University of California (Davis) USA. The text is well written and illustrated with diagrams, graphs and coloured photographs. The latter dealing with problems that can be experienced in olive growing. A modern commercial olive grove can be established and managed with the information presented. This text is a must for all those dealing with olives especially horticultralists, growers and horticultural students.

This book not only delves into the Twilight Zone disaster but also examines the history of stunts-gone-wrong in Hollywood. It also examines the background of John Landis which reveals much about his motivations.

This book has everything you need to perform. Monologs (good ones, which are very hard to come by), duets, group scenes, EVERYTHING! All of them are either award winning plays or excerpts from them. Each different performance has an intro to it that gives information like: what the stage sould look like, what awards the play one, what other plays the playwright wrote and where the play was performed. The only problem is that the monologs are too short for the contests I enter. Does anyone know of any books that have 5 to 7 minute monologs? Thanks!

If nothing else this would make one of those fabulous coffee-table books - gorgeous to just to look at and stacked to the gunnels with a huge variety of photographs of interiors, stunning old masters reproduced, and pretty architectural line drawings. However I hope people will get this and read it for more than that for Parissen has done a thorough job on a detailed and thoughtful text .

This is the history of the Palladian style, its growth in England in the early eighteenth century and mostly looking at the typical Palladian style homes and how they developed over a 40 year period from 1715-1755. The book takes us inside the home, as well as outside looking at all the elements from the structural, and architectural to the decorative such as fittings and wallpapers. I have just finished reading Spencer-Churchills "Georgian Style" which takes a much broader time span of the whole Georgian period and looks far more at the style rather than the substance. With a more focused subject and a shorter period Parissien takes us far deeper into the development of style and the people who influenced it. He also shows how it filtered through from the grand mansions to the villas and homes of the less well-off both in England and America. There is a reasonable glossary in the back, along with some good potted biographies of the main people mentioned in his text. He has also provided a page of additional reading on the style if this book sparks your interest further.

"Picasso and the War Years" surveys his art during his years of isolation in Occupied Paris, as well as the three years leading up to the cataclysm. Although several exhibitions have been held on this same subject in Europe, this is the first such survey of Picasso's wartime production to take place in the United States. A series of outstanding essays by several prominent critics explore the complex political, social, and personal circumstances which inspired these still-challenging paintings, and the initial reactions to them. A warning: this book is not for everyone. If you are disturbed by violent and harsh art, forget it. These images still retain their power to shock, disorient, disgust and sadden, even if sixty years have gone by since their creation. Yet all the pictures possess a deep geometric structure, formal balance, and intense affect which engraves them on the viewer's mind. The sorrowful, neurotic, and unforgettable face of Dora Maar, Picasso's mistress and model during these tragic years, is transformed in these paintings into a symbol of a world gone mad. This is definitely one of the most significant art books produced this year.

Starting an EP Lab?? Defining standards of care?? Orienting new EP personnel?? Here is a practical, concise review of what we do and what we need to do in EP. Illustrations are simplified and easily read.

As the editor of this anthology, I wanted to pass on another review that the book has just received. My own quibble with the review from Kirkus is that I don't really understand why they would think that a 400-plus-page anthology of historical articles would be "a cozy read." The purpose of the book is to give a broad and deep view of what critics, journalists and art historians thought about Pop as it developed. It's not meant to be a page turner. It's meant to be a reference work full of useful and interesting pieces, some academic, some not. Here, in its entirety, is what "Library Journal" said: "This not-to-be-missed anthology collects stimulating articles, interviews, and other texts defining 'the phenomenon of Pop.' Madoff contributes a fine introductory overview, then presents 94 critical articles, both negative and positive, on this brash, vulgar, and successful style. Most are culled from contemporary American art magazines and newspapers--sometimes offering monthly entries--during the height of the Pop era of the 1960s. Students and specialists alike will find overlooked or forgotten material here and will especially note that many early discussions still ring true today. The book is divided into five sections: the precursors; reviews of work done from 1962 to 1970; the major artists (Lichtenstein, Oldenburg, Rosenquist, and Warhol); 11 artists on the periphery; and, finally, a few articles from the 1970s to 1990s. Discussions of single artists are most interesting, and Andy Warhol remains a standout. There is heavy reading but also journalistic stylings that will appeal to anyone interested in American culture of the Sixties. Highly recommended.--Mary Hamel-Schwulst, Towson State Univ., Md (LJ 10/1/97)"

If there was ever a book that could make or break a career in mathematics, this is it. Without exception all mathematicians must at some time put coherent thoughts together to communicate. And the quality of that correspondence does sometimes differentiate between success and failure. We all will write at least a resume, vita and cover letter for a job application. While there do exist companies that can aid in the writing, it would be a rare one indeed that could tell you which of your math skills to put the stress on. All modern forms of communication between mathematicians is covered. From the traditional mathematical traits of writing theorems with proofs to TEX and e-mail collaboration.
From the book, it is clear that the author has a devilish sense of humor. When giving examples of proper writing, he combines the use of public names with others that are partial and creates some delightful and descriptive attributes. The sample vita is an absolute scream, although you have to be a bit older to appreciate it. Some of it is given below with reviewer comments in parentheses.

Curriculum Vitae for
Clemson Ataturk Kadiddlehopper
( The Red Skelton character that was a bum.)
Home address: 17 Poverty Row, Faculty Ghetto, Iowa 50011
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Honors: Neural Sediment Fibration Graduate Fellow. 1971-1974.
( The character was bald. )
Visiting Professor, Callipygean Institute of Tectonics, 1977.
Shinola Fellow, College of Good Hair, 1979.
Visiting Professor, Upper College of Lower Academics, 1980.
Visiting Professor, University of Basic Bourgeoisie, 1986.
Visiting Professor, Hahvahd University, 1986.
Honorary Lecturer, Crab Louie College, 1987.

Names used, created or combined come from all areas of human endeavor and history. And you have to be on your toes to catch them all. It sometimes took this reviewer more than one pass to catch the complete subtlety of the joke. Names such as Mergetroyd Mittelschlachenmeyer, Ayatollah Hohenzolern, Fig Newton, Iphiginea Mandelbrooski and Imelda Rasputin are works of a comedic expert. And, lines like,

"In order to test her creative abilities, I have given Georgina Spelvin extra work outside of class."

"Would you tenure Marilyn Chambers in your department?"

"If you are asked whether Hypatia Lee should be tenured, or promoted, or given a certain post, . . ."

are some that this reviewer would never have thought would appear in a serious work. (All are porn actresses.)
This is easily the funniest, serious book that I have ever read.

This book is clearly written and really explains the *theory* behind what is going on. Lerman uses examples everywhere that really help bring the abstract notions of programming down to earth. It's a great book for those just learning C, and a decent book for those who are already familiar with C but have a little more to learn.