This Thompson Student Bible gets it right. The original Thompson Chain reference was a great bible study tool, with many helps, charts, topical studies and archaeological facts. The problem with the former editions, was the editor's insistence of making the reference material available as appendices, and not in context with the text. One might read about the city of Jericho in the book of Exodus, and then see that somewhere on that page where it is mentioned there was a note indicating an archaeological reference was available. But one had to use the "chain" number and then move to the back of the Bible to find the note in the appendices. Now, in this Thompson Student Bible most of the reference material is contextual -- you will find the reference material on the page where the text addresses it first. Students and first time readers of the Bible will read it and benefit from this organization. There won't be that daunting task of figuring out the organization, or the intimidation factor of having to look up all the reference material in the back. Buy this Bible and give it to your teenager, or buy it for yourself. This is a great way to study the scriptures.

Excellent couverage of the maintainance and repairs' of Recreaceation Vechicles

Being a student of banking, i found that this book is very organized and easy to understand.It is equally good for beginners as well as non students. I started of as someone who knows absolutely nothing about the UK financial system but halfway through the book,i m clear enough to know how it works.Best of all, i know that the knowledge i got from the book doesn't only apply to the united kindom, but also to other parts of the world like the states and Aisa. This is a greatly recomended book!!!!!Those of you out there who wants a book thatanswers all your questions about banking and finance, this is a must buy book!!!!!!!!

This examination of Yoruba art covers a lot of ground, temporally and geographically. It covers the Yoruba kingdom by kingdom, looking at historical objects within each area. Accessible even to those without any knowledge of African art, it also has lots to interest the specialist--some controversial views on women's roles in Ife art, assignment of Esie carvings to the Yoruba and some previously unassigned bronzes to Ijebu, identification of particular artists' work and more. Written by three experts who specialize in different Yoruba areas, the writing is seamless and well-edited, neither talking down to the reader nor unduly academic in tone. The accompanying illustrations are superb, and many are contextual images. This book introduces Yoruba philosophy, religion, oral literature, and political organization interwoven with art, providing an excellent cultural overview. I use it as a university text, but it would serve as a beautiful addition to the library of anyone interested in Africa, particularly those who want to know more about this creative ethnic group which has left such an impact on the cultures of the Americas.

I'm especially affectionate about this book because some sweet person gave it to me when I was recovering from having my tonsils out (a common operation, long ago). My sister and I read it to shreds and can still quote bits from the poems. I am delighted it is available; it's going to be my Christmas gift to my sister. The Elegant Elephant is a splendid animal. The ending is perhaps predictable in a satisfactorily classic way. Oh, my purple wool socks! give it to the kids and maybe some big kids.

This is Ruth Plumly Thompson's second Oz book, and it is a definite improvement over her first effort, THE ROYAL BOOK OF OZ. This is the book that introduces Thompson's best character, Kabumpo, the Elegant Elephant of Oz. Here, he helps Prince Pompadore of Pumperdink to find the Proper Princess and save the kingdom. The story is a lot of fun, and contains such interesting creations as the Curious Cottabus, who lives on questions, and a runaway country so intent on being settled that it kidnaps the heroes. It also features the return of Ruggedo, the former Nome King. Although Thompson makes a mistake involving Ruggedo's size (which she doesn't make in future books), she does a good job with the character. Wag, a giant rabbit who talks in spoonerisms, is a good addition to the ranks of Oz characters. While Thompson still makes some mistakes, including some involving the timing of the story, this book shows that she can write just as well as Baum, and was an excellent choice to continue the Oz series.

The story begins when Prince Pompadore of the Kingdom of Pumperdink stes off with his elegant elepaht Kabumpo to seek the 'proper' princess for him to marry, or his kingdom will dissapear forever. Meanwhile, Ruggedo finds a box of mixed magic, grows to the size of a giant and carries Ozma's palace away from the Emerald City on his head. Its upto Prince Pompadore to rescue Princess Ozma, whom he thinks to be his 'proper' princess, but only Wag the Giant Rabbit and Peg Amy the live wooden doll have teh secret to rescue Ozma and save Prince Pompadore's kingdom from dissapapearing. This is one of Ruth Thompson's best books, for that matter, one of the best Oz stories ever, The characters are very 'ozzy', especially Kabumpo and so are the plot-lines and teh adventures.....A must for all Oz fans!

Thomas Thompson does a fantastic job of re-telling the events surrounding the mysterious death of a Houston socialite, the investigation into the death, the trial of her prominent surgeon husband, and the circumstances surrounding his murder a few years after hers. This is without a doubt the most gripping story I have ever read. Thompson's research on this project was extensive, and I would imagine exhaustive. It is written as if he were a witness to all the events which took place in this story. It is a story so bizarre, it would have to be fiction, but sadly was a very true story of adultery, greed, and vengeance. If you can find the book I highly recommend you buy it. You will have a hard time putting it down.

This book was given to me when I was a 13 year old living outside of Houston TX. It was the book that launched my fascination with true crime books of high quality (i.e. Darcy O'Brien,Vincent Bugliosi). I am still fascinated by the case and have heard many rumors in the last 20 years about the actual cause of death. Amazing - that this story still haunts me all these years later. It is out of print and I own a copy I have never lent out for fear of never seeing it again! Also interesting was Ann Kurth's Prescription:Murder which is her side of the case. Not even close to the same caliber as Blood & Money but still interesting. I cannot recommend this book highly enough - find it at the library or a used book store immediately!

I saw the mini-series starring Farrah Fawcett before I read the book. I was intrigued by the movie. I had never heard of Joan Olive Robinson Hill before and after seeing the movie I wondered about her and her life and if it were possible that her husband did in fact kill her. There were a lot of questions that needed answering. I read the book and was amazed at the attention Thomas Thompson gave to even the smallest detail and how he was able to draw you into the story, you almost felt like you were there when these events happened. The book did not absolutely say that John Hill had killed Joan Hill, but it certainly provided ample motive and opportunity. And the scenario that describes the way he might have done it seems plausible. Who knows? This does not take away at all from the drama of this story and as John Hill himself is dead as well, there are some things we will never know. Thomas Thompson makes you feel empathy for Joan and her situation. He also makes you feel sympathy, compassion and scorn; why didn't she just leave the bum and find someone who really wanted her. I loved this story.

Glory Denied tells the story of Captain Jim Thompson, U.S. Army, the longest-held prisoner in the Vietnam War, or in any of America's other wars, for that matter, a distinction which is credited generally to Navy pilot Everett Alvarez, but whose time in captivity was actually shorter by several months than the almost nine years of imprisonment suffered by Thompson, four of which were spent in the isolated jungles of South Vietnam as a solitary American after his capture in 1964, and where, without companionship, he survived and on his own endured hardships and torture the likes of which few can fully imagine.

Although a standard narrative could tell this story from an author's single point of view and lift Thompson from his relative obscurity, Philpott has chosen oral history, and here is an example of that method at its very best. Carefully researching background material and skillfully organizing the interviews, supplementing them with appropriate documents, most notably some very insightful self-analyses written for Thompson's psychiatrist, he lets the speakers themselves show us Thompson from every possible angle, through the eyes of anyone and everyone, it seems, involved in this long and complex saga, and through their words the complexity of the man and the situation becomes revealed.

Thompson goes off to Vietnam in 1963, full of good intent, having found his home in the Army Special Forces, intelligent and articulate but with limited background and education, determined to make the best possible career of it, leaving behind a less-than-perfect marriage, albeit one idealized in his own mind. Not the perfect soldier either, we see in early inter-views with his commanding officer that Thompson lacked initiative and an overall perspective, if ever there was such a thing regarding Vietnam, but we sense too the difficulties in maintaining morale, discipline, and efficiency in a remote Special Forces outpost, none of which was more isolated or ill-starred than the team led by Thompson.

Shot down while on a reconnaissance flight over dense jungle, not until 1968 is he marched up the Ho Chi Minh Trail to a camp in the North, where he finds the company of other Americans and eventual release when the peace accords are signed in 1973. However the same rigidity and uncompromising temperament which enabled him to survive in captivity and under duress and torture now begin to work against him. His wife, left to fend for herself with four small children, and for a while believing (or for the sake of finality, hoping) her husband dead, has taken up in the meanitme with another Army man, the only father the smaller children know, and although she returns to Thompson after his release, he can never forgive her, nor can he adjust to the tremendous changes which have occurred in society during his absence. The marriage fails, and the family disintegrates. He becomes estranged from his children, who do not know him, and do not like what they see as they become reacquainted. Alcohol, always a factor in Thompson's behavior, now becomes a crippling enemy, and the Army, apparently doing its best to care for one of its own, and appreciative of his stature and his good public relations work as a kind of professional ex-POW, as he has now become, seems at a loss for a permanent solution. Finally in failed health and alone, he is retired in the grade of colonel, and it is here that Philpott first finds him and becomes fascinated with the story which will evolve into this lengthy book.

Philpott has given us here not just the story of one man, or even of one family, but glimpses of a war and the devastating changes and effects which it wrought in some ways on all of us and on our society, for a whole series of generations. In the end we come away knowing and feeling yet one more facet of the long and sad experience called Vietnam.

"Glory Denied" chronicles the tortured experiences of Col. Floyd ("Jim") Thompson, whose life and family were rent asunder by the Vietnam War and its aftermath.

Thompson spent nine arduous years in captivity, including five long years held in solitary by the Viet Cong. Thompson is the longest-held prisoner of war in American history, although for a variety of reasons (mainly his familiy's insistence on privacy), Navy pilot Everrett Alvarez is often accorded that distinction.

Unlike the heroic Navy and Air Force pilots shot down over North Vietnam, Thompson was deprived of the physical and emotional support of fellow Americans who were enduring the same harrowing ordeal. (Thompson did not even lay eyes on another American for more than four years.) Instead, he found succor from his faith in God, country, and the wife and family that he thought awaited him.

However, these three pillars of faith would prove illusory. Upon finally achieving freedom, Thompson is unable to recognize the country and family to which he returned, and as the tragedies continued to mount, he soon renounces his religious convictions.

Despite being presented with evidence (a voice recording) of her husband's captivity fairly early on, Thompson's wife Alyce had wasted little time merging her young family with another man's, "for the sake of the children." Attempts to restore a normal family life prove disatrous, and Thompson ends up divorced twice, estranged from his children and involuntarily retired from the Army at age 47 due to a stroke.

The persistent problems (culminating in a murder conviction)of his youngest child and only son -- born the day after Thompson's capture -- is the lightning rod for a family reconcilation. Jim even dropped his deep-seated enmity for Alyce. But the rapprochement proved to be short-lived, and by the story's end, Thompson is once again an embittered, isolated man.

Too few Americans know the Col. Jim Thompson story. This story deserves to find the widest possible audience.

The tragedy of Army Officer, Jim Thompson, is similar to many others who were held prisoner of war, with the exception of the time period - he was held captive for nine years. This story is not by any means an easy book to read. The accounts of his torture and the conditions under which he lived during those nine years will tear at the heartstrings of the staunchest individual. During Thompson's captivity, his wife, who is struggling to survive and raise four children on her own meets an Army man who becomes the only father her children have ever known. After Thompson's release and return home, his life will never again be the same. Thompson is not, nor could he ever be, the same man he was when he left home years ago. The couple reconcile but the marriage is short lived. As in many similar cases when the marriage disintegrates, the children become estranged and soon realize they do not know this man who is not a father to them, but a stranger. They have little recollection of the man he once was, nor do they have have use for the man he has become. Alcohol becomes a factor in Thompson's life and his escape from reality, an anaesthetic for "the real world" - a world that has left him shunned by society, rejected by his family and haunted by the memories that he must live with each and every day for the remainder of his life. All this was bestowed upon a man whose only fateful action was to fight for his country.

Many men returned from Vietnam and found productive lives. Many did not return; others might have found more spiritual peace if they had not survived the horrors. In a sense, Thompson also gave his life for his country, for the man he became upon his return was a man devoid and robbed of a QUALITY life. While he physically returned, the happy, peaceful, successful life he could have had was eternally lost and a part of him will forever dwell in the horrors of Vietnam. Jim Thompson's life is a tragedy, like many other tragedies of war. While the book is emotionally difficult to read, it is an excellent book and cannot help but make the reader feel that no matter what obstacles and challenges we are faced with in our life, we are blessed with having "the freedom to choose" how we live our lives.

This is a great book for students...because it's not heavy! Seriously, the chapters are short and concise,heavenly stuff when you're cramming the night before exams.The writing is clear and focused...it doesn't meander off into extreme details. The illustrations are self explanatory...and the pictures are graphic and gross...like they should be in a infectious disease textbook. Too bad there aren't more of them!

This book covers every medical microbiology topic that is needed for class exams or the USLME. The book is intensely filled with very elaborated information that any medical student needs to pass his or her exams. My study group and I also used the following for class exams and the USLME and found it extremely helpful. I also purchased this book on amazon which is the following:
Microbiology Study Guide: Key Review Questions and Answers by Patrick Leonardi (ISBN: 0971999635)
The questions in this study guide were on target with my class exams and was an excellent reference for the USLME. Buy both books. Most definitely!!

The first thing to understand about this book is that it is a textbook and a difficult one. The difficulty for the beginning student or general reader is not a fault of the authors. Rather it is because medical microbiology itself is a daunting subject full of organisms that can only be seen fuzzily with an electron microscope, if at all, organisms involved in processes and behaviors that are foreign to our everyday experience. Add the fact that most of the material covered here is not part of a non-specialist curriculum either in high school or college, and effectively speaking the untrained reader is starting from scratch.

Well, why do that? First of all, because the material itself--how viruses, bacteria, fungi, and other infectious organisms enter the body, replicate, and cause disease--is fascinating and of immediate relevance to our lives. Second because (to my knowledge) there is little or nothing else available to the general reader that goes beyond a sketchy introduction to the subject. One is forced to read a text book. Fortunately this is a good one and it is thorough.

The text covers the range of infectious disease from viruses to tapeworms. The amount of technical information presented is daunting, and the sheer expanse of terminology a challenge (why is there no glossary?). The text is lavishly illustrated with photos and electron micrographs of the pathogens, as well as numerous schematic drawings showing how microorganisms cause disease, how they replicate, their chemical structure, their morphology, etc.

The instructional schematic drawings I found less valuable than the electron micrographs, but I suspect for the student of microbiology it might be the other way around.

What you'll get out of this handsome book depends on how much time and energy you are able to devote to it. I started reading this in the hope that I would, perhaps by osmosis, pick up some feel for life at the micron level, and I did. Obviously if I had been able to study the text with the help of an instructor, I would have learned a lot more.

This series of books on motorcycles and cars tends to be pretty good for the money. It has color and black and white photos. Ducati in particular is a bike best seen in color, though, and the book could have used more color. The text is short, sweet, and useful. The book will give you a good education and is a worthy addition to your Ducati library.

... it's all illustrated beautifully in color. I bought it used here for $$$ and would gladly have paid new price. Of all the books I've read on Ducati, this one was the only one to tell it like it is regarding the poor business practices of the Italians and the shoddy build quality of Ducati motorcycles. A fresh perspective that wasn't sugar coated or mired in myth. Truly a great read, or worth it for the pictures alone.

This book is an excellent addition to the library of any motorcycle enthusiast, especially Ducati. But anyway, it has very good photos and very interesting text.

Robert Anton Wilson is one of the most forward thinkers of his time. Wilson's first book in this series leads you down his path of exploring the changes he underwent by using mind expanding drugs and experimenting with magick rituals. Wilson's storyline of his mind expansion intersects along the way with his real life and allows the reader an insight into what types of things were influencing his decisions as he probed deeper into this fantastical realm. The timeline shifts around but the reader is never dissatisfied. The second part of the book deals with the scientific basis behind his studies and those of other free thinkers such as Timothy Leary.

I first became interested in Wilson after reading the Illuminati trilogy. This book will only add to anyone's appreciation for that book and its author. This book provides some background into the events which are covered by the trilogy. In general, the Cosmic Trigger series begins with a bang. 4 stars losing one for the sometimes cryptic nature of the writing, but then again, that is RAW.

This is really the only book you need to buy by Robert A. Wilson; his fiction is pretty awful (cardboard characters and self-referential plots drowning in footnotes); and all his other nonfiction works are the same repetitive rambling about the strange soup he makes of his favorites: Leary's levels of consciousness, general semantics, James Joyce, western philosophy (all of which he well understands), mysticism (which he does not) and Wilson's own mediocre interpretation of the philosophical implications of the quantum theory (he's an old-school copenhagenist). Cosmic Trigger has all that but much more; autobiography lends it a lovely basic narrative structure that is far more affecting than any of his silly novels, it has the phantasmagoric black-comic mood he fails to quite pull off in fiction, and of course is written in his usual direct, smooth, readable, and frequently hilarious prose style. If only he weren't from the foul "take more dope" hedonistic-materialistic school of consciousness and hadn't therefore been eating acid like candy when he wrote this, we might even be able to relate some of these events from his internal universe of perception to the external universe we share.

This was my first introduction to the writings of Robert Anton Wilson, at a time in my life when the limited, inconsistant, and ludicrous models of reality offered by the world seemed too limiting to bear. What Wilson offers here appears (in my reality tunnel) to be a look into the largely misunderstood philosophy of agnosticism, as well as his own experiences with love, sex, drugs, yoga, magik, life, death, and governmental corruption.

Does this review capture Wilson, or Cosmic Trigger I in its entirety? Of course not, and Wilson is fully aware that his writings and non-beliefs defy any catagorization (his books are very hard to find in retail stores). All I can offer is my uninformed opinion that there is no wiser, more humorous, and generally more interesting than Robert Anton Wilson.