This book is the second half of "The Little Schemer". It expects you to have mastered the previous volume, so it starts fast and picks up speed from there.

It covers a lot of ground in a slim volume (just as in "The Little Schemer"). This book introduces the concepts of closures and call-with-current-continuation (among other things).

As with "The Little Schemer", this book's strength is in its socratic instruction method. Lessons are written and illustrated as conversations between the reader and the instructor (in question/answer format). While this sounds strange, it is actually surprisingly effective as a means of learning the material. It might seem somewhat like rote instruction, but it can often frame foreign concepts in a rememberable fashion.

Neither of these books require much in the way of background or familiarity with the material. They were created as a means of teaching non-programmers to program in Scheme. However, I think they hold value for trained programmers as well.

Dialogue style makes this book fun to read. Leitmotif of food examples keeps the tone light and the reader hungry. Have the number for pizza handy before you sit down for this book.

Focuses on the use of functions in scheme, in an easy reading, enjoyable style. My only minor criticism is that the typographic conventions make the code hard to read. I realize that they serve a purpose, but it made the typesetting ugly.

An admirable work, suitable for reading even if you already "know it all", just because of its approach to teaching.

This book provides a lot of good example problems in the field of environmental risk assessment. However, it seems to lack follow-up discussion of the case studies. It is intended, perhaps, that the reader would work through the problems and then perhaps discuss them as in a class situation. There are questions following the problems that might be considered adequate to lead the reader to the point the authors were trying to make. Nonetheless, it would help the cohesiveness if there were some discussion of the problems rather than just going from one to the next.

Written in a straightforward and almost conversational style, this book provides an introductory text on the topic of risk assessment. The book describes complex concepts in simple language and is thus effective in presenting the subject matter, Moreover, the exercises within each chapter are clearly designed to reinforce understanding of the topics covered. Overall, an excellent book for a student of risk assessment.

I'd love to give this book a higher rating, but it's disappointingly slim in both size and content. It feels like the unfinished outline for a book which the author was never able to write. The author's entire marriage (of many years, and several children) is dismissed in two paragraphs. He frequently refers to the great and unbelievable stories he could tell about life on the road...then neglects to tell them. There aren't even any photos to spice up the narrative (though it sounds like the author never made enough money on the road to afford a camera). In all fairness, this is a pleasant little book, and not a bad addition to an existing collection for sideshow/carny fans. But there are other, better books out there which you should go to first.

Personally, I loved this Book! This is a very well written recounting of the sideshows of yesteryear, obvious of the authors past. He has added every detail of how the sideshow used to be and this makes terrific reading for those interested in the history of such a wonderful (yet almost forgotten) pastime. This is most certainly a text of material for any serious sideshow lover!

Although this book covers many of the unusual aspects of siege warfare, it only manages to scrape the surface of them. The illustrations in the book were either useless photos or very well done drafting images. All in all, this book is great for an overview with a view intresting pictures but fails to be worth its price.

"Siege : Castles at War" is a very good read for those interested in castles. The book is essentially an adaption of two medieval scholars' NOVA television special that aired on public television (PBS)recently (1999). The authors of this book, both university professors of medieval studies, really know what they're talking about and this book is ready proof that they've spent a life researching medieval culture and warfare. I checked this book out from my local public library and have now hinted to my girlfriend that I'd like a copy for my birthday! The text is well-written, easy-to-read, factual as well as interesting, and, best of all, embellished with wonderful period illustrations. I enjoyed this book as did the sixth-grade child who I have tutoring in history. While my young tutoree enjoyed the book, the text is most definitely written for adult readers. I highly advise this book to those who want to learn more about castles and medieval warfare.

Excellent book, not completely for American child abuse related problems.
An extreme case of "well intentioned" child abuse. Gives an insight to many questio about European child rearing. The methods described here are of limited aplicability towards understanding child abuse because it describes gadgets not used in this country where parents are more likely to be blamed for over indulgence and children are more often neglected than disciplined.
This is a book about abuse through over-discipline, which is still prevalent in some circles in northen Europe, mainly Germany, Austria, The Netherlands, Luxemburg, Flemish Belgium, and German Switzerland.
However, it gives a clear idea of what happens when a child is deprived of his/her own personality and not allowed to express him/herself, whatever the method used to get complete control over his spirit. It is a case of extreme autoritarian parenting. Discipline taken to the extreme

Briefly, this book is amazing. It is inexplicable (or, perhaps, telling) that it is out of print. The concept of images and transforms is penetrating and valuable, and the book is a fascinating read for both specialists and interested laypeople. Until this book returns to print, students of trauma should either obtain the book used or take a copy out of the library (and photocopy it!). It is essential reading on trauma.

Joe Gores' DKA series, which details the operations and adventures a San Francisco repo firm, got its start in Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine back in 1967. With six books in the series in print, this volume provides the admirable service of collecting the twelve DKA short stories into a single volume. Gore based the DKA characters and series on his personal experience and coworkers at a San Francisco repo firm, which lends the tales the zing of procedural authenticity and an atmosphere likely to appeal to Bay area readers. Each story is introduced by Gores, who explains its origin and fidelity to actual cases-as he grew more and more sure of his writing, Gores strayed more from the actual case facts, thus the stories grow progressively freer. In his introduction, Gores also discusses the problem of setting a long-running series in the present, but not having its main characters age at the same rate.

Running almost exactly twelve pages each, the stories are perfect for those times when you only have ten or fifteen minutes to sit down. The thrill of these stories come from the tricks and craftiness employed by the repo men (and women), and their quarry. Since no one is interested in killing or getting killed over an unpaid for car, guns don't come into play very often, although fisticuffs do provide for some action. And of course sometimes an unpaid for car is simply part of a greater crime... Most of the stories are fairly straightforward and enjoyable detailings of interesting repo cases. A few, such as the Dashiell Hammet homage, "Beyond the Shadow" and the anti-developer "Do Not Go Gentle", with its Snidely Whiplash villain, do not work as well. My own favorite stories are the more whimsical ones, such as "The O'Bannon Blarney File" in which a hearse is repoed, or "Jump Her Lively, Boys!" in which a fire engine is repoed. The best of all however, is "The Maimed and The Halt", whose denouement is masterful, hilarious, and true.

This is the perfect introduction to the DKA series, for those who haven't encountered it, and the perfect gift for those who have. Unfortunately, the stories aren't packaged very well, with a terrible cover and the worst typography I've come across in a long time, but at least one doesn't have to track down ancient copies of EQMM to find the stories any more!

I was introduced to Joe Gores and DKA in 1979 when the Mystery Book Club put "Gone, No Forwarding" on its selection list. I've been hooked ever since by his dead-on portrayal of life on the street for the repo-men and -women of DKA. His books even inspired me to enter the field, and twenty years later I still grab the newest book to learn the latest tricks of the trade.

Stakeout on Page Street was a real treat for any fan of the series who didn't have access to the short stories from Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine. Gores developed the "private eye procedural" and is still the most entertaining storyteller in the field because of the authenticity of his work. Watching the characters develop (without aging!) and reading the biographical introduction reminded me why I became an investigator and why I stay in the field. I still recommend the books to students and interns and cherish my own "private collection." Thank you, Joe, for sharing your stories and your world with us. I'm a happier person for experiencing your books.

And if you haven't read 32 Cadillacs yet, you're missing the ride of your life, and the magnum opus of the series.

This is the second book I've read by this author. 'Strange Doings' is definitely different than Gracely's first book (Giant Rat of Sumatra), but still worth the read. I have to pretty much agree with everything said by the reviewer from Philadelphia who likewise rates this 4 stars. Let me just add that although this who-dun-it has, in fact, a relationship between morality and art, not everyone with blood on their hands turns out to be a Modernist. On a different note, it's nice to see this author branching out a bit: this story appears to be 2 to 3 times longer than his first book, and certainly strikes a contrast in content.

In "The Strange Doings of J. Leslie Ryder," Daniel Gracely unfolds a morality tale about the consequences of wrong or misguided actions. Sherlock Holmes encounters a former jewel-thief he had let go free in Conan-Doyle's "Blue Carbuncle." The thief, J. Leslie Ryder, had fled England for a South Sea Island, Gaugain-style. In Gracely's imaginative sequel, we see what unfolds from Ryder's abandonment of his family, as a result of Holmes's perhaps misjudged mercy. Gracely has a strong sense of morality, and his story unfolds in a tragic echo-chamber of ever-mounting ironies. There is a deep sense of the human toll left in the wake of capricious or self-serving choices.
Gracely draws his characters with real urgency and vividness. Some of the characters he introduces into Conan-Doyle's world seem to leap off the page, and live and breathe before us. There are also rich descriptive passages, full of pathos and suspense, and some quite humorous and playful moments.

Gracely also sets a lot of the action within the world of art, building the thesis that an artist's personal morality is expressed in the style and manner of his work.
Real events of the time in which the story is set-- within the world of art, and beyond-- are woven into the story in interesting ways, forming an intriguing interplay between Conan-Doyle's world of the near-omniscient detective, and real history.
All in all, "The Strange Doings of J. Leslie Ryder" is an absorbing read for a winter's night, and will hold your attention from the first page to the tense conclusion.

"Surfers" is a gritty and compelling photographic study of the sport and lifestyle of surfing. In 100 duotone and 11 four-color photos, Patrick Cariou captures surfers of many ages, races, nationalities. Indeed, he traveled the globe for these pictures. Whether in Long Island or Easter Island, Peru or Polynesia, the photographer searched for the world's greatest surfers and surf-legends. Cariou is especially talented at shooting natural-light portraits of these men and women. There's a relaxed naturalness about his subjects, which is a testament to the trust he gained from them. Also, Cariou, in his best shots (e.g., "Buttons Kaluhiokalani, North Shore," "Local, Biarritz," and "Laird Hamilton, Maui"), captures the surfers' eyes so effectively that they speak volumes about these wave-riders. Also, Cariou's images are refreshingly unromatic. There is an earthy, every-day quality to these pictures. I only wish the photos had been done in full color. Not only would the reproductions have been clearer, but the pictures' impact would have been far greater than they are. Still, surfers of all ranks will enjoy this book.

When I first leafed through the pages of this collection, I was struck by the numerous photographs of beautifully aging men. Upon further inspection it became clear that other subjects are well represented. But I would have to say that for me, the true impact of this book is in its portraiture of strong, active, sun-baked men of advancing years. Men whose bearing and visage evince a serene vitality as well as a timeless understanding of fate.

This is of course a book about surfing and there are a number of wonderful photographs that well capture the spirit, peril and exhilaration of the sport. And a bit of text at the beginning of the book does address itself to surfing history and culture. But it is the portraits of the rugged and weathered people who live their lives by the sea that makes this such a compelling collection.

Surfers is a wonderfully understated portfolio of mostly black and white photographs of individuals who are persuing their dreams in an unconventional yet highly inspired fashion. Cariou, a gifted master of his craft, captures the freedom and joy inherent to their journey brilliantly. His work deserves a much wider audience than just those with an abiding interest in surfing.

This is probably one of the most useful books that deals with the subject of Molecular symmetry and how it applies to the derivation of IR Spectra, Molecular Orbital Theory, and UV VIS spec. Some parts can be sparse (Term symbol section is a little confusing at first go) so it pays to have a good Quant. book next to you... Lots of problems that are all solved. Excellent reference for some basic QM problems as well... Perhaps the best thing about this book is the fact that it is not (expensive).... So if you have the dosh, then go for it and finally figure out Group Theory and how it relates to IR and everything else...

Harris and Bertolucci have written an excellent overview of general spectroscopy theory, appropriate for both undergraduate and graduate students. As a chemist, I found it very helpful as I took introductory quantum mechanics in graduate school and later used it as a practical guide to interpreting and understanding infrared spectra as a graduate student.

For the price, this is one of the best bargains available to students. Consider other Dover publications for great prices as well.

Book Three of the Tenebrea Trilogy reads like it was rushed to print before it was fully polished. Tenebrea Rising delivers up some nice moments and a satisfying enough action climax, but ends far too abruptly and with far too many dangling plot threads. Its first half doesn't quite live up to the promise of Tenebrea's Hope, though it overcomes its early failings as events move along. The title is puzzling: the Tenebrea aren't really involved much after their initial rescue, and the authors don't particularly follow through on the implied theme of gradually rising fortunes.

Andrea and her team save the imprisoned Tenebrea, but then she learns the full extent to which K'Rin has used her and others for his own ends. Torn between heartache and rage, she breaks with the Tenebrea and swears to kill K'Rin if she ever sees him again. Considering her own ruthlessness in using others, she really shouldn't be throwing stones.

The Ordinate hit Jod, obliterating most of the fleet, pulverizing the capital, and annihilating the government. Then the Chelle make their own first move into open war with Jod, while Cor Admiral Brulk returns home to rebuild his intentionally sacrificed fleet and forces. K'Rin takes over as both military and civilian leader on Jod, making plans to wage a dual campaign against Cor and Chelle.

With Brigon, Eric, and Andrea overdue in returning to Cor, a crippled Tara leads the starving outlaw clones out of their wilderness retreat to fight the Ordinate at close quarters again. While she's finalizing the details of their proposed assault, the Tenebrea rescue team at last rejoins her with much-needed supplies, equipment, and tactical support from K'Rin. He needs the clones to help wipe out the Ordinate before Brulk gets back to fighting trim. Andrea comes along only as a favor to Brigon, wanting nothing more to do with K'Rin even at a distance.

After waiting all the way through Tenebrea's Hope for some major plot action, readers are again left waiting too long before things finally break in Tenebrea Rising. In the early chapters, the writing seems more clumsy and repetitive than in either previous book. References to prior events don't always agree with earlier accounts. As in Hope, there are too many scattered points of view, with choppy transitions that make it hard for readers' attention to remain engaged. Neither Andrea nor K'Rin shows up often enough or long enough to serve as a necessary anchor for the other story lines.

Once again, though, the patient reader is rewarded; the second half of the book is substantially better than the first. Except for one noble sacrifice, the key characters all get the outcomes they deserve. There are occasional philosophical asides and small action vignettes that rise above the rest of the story and show what the authors might accomplish after a bit more seasoning. The Chelle provide some welcome comic relief. Additional follow-up books might be expected.

Tenebrea Rising provides a satisfying end to an ambitious trilogy.

In books one and two, Andrea became ruthless because of the evil done to her. Her mentor, K'Rin has long been ruthless because of his practical, if not exaggerated, sense of duty. The Jod's leader, Pl'Don, is ruthlessly ambitious as is his Cor counterpart, Admiral Brulk, who manufactures clones that he uses like ammunition. Even the Chelle, who offer comic relief, demonstrate a kind of pettifogging ruthlessness. The Chelle's arrogant meddling on Earth actually started the whole disordered mess.

All these unbridled self-interests collide in Tenebrea Rising. As with all moral tales, redemption comes from selflessness, embodied by the maternal (although ironically sterile clone Tara) and Andrea's companion, the noble H'Roo Parh. Andrea finally breaks hate's hold on her when realizes that she is becoming like K'Rin, the latest object of her hate.

The ending of Tenebrea Rising leaves many unanswered questions, but such is life. Andrea quips at the end, "Now we have a future," and we are left to wonder, what kind of future? These books are so much more than space opera--very enjoyable at one level, and deeper still.