The principle conclusion of this text is that economic wealth is a function of natural resource availability. Japan is noted as an exception, but the first printing pre-dated the collapse of the Soviet Union and consequently, the Soviet exception goes unmentioned. It matters little, as their conclusions may be debunked by countless other "exceptions."

Nevertheless, the book makes a number of interesting observations and provides data to support them. It anticipates the perspective now termed "industrial ecology" or "industrial "metabolism," but places an emphasis on energy (first-law energy) rather than materials, which the aforementioned perspectives have become preoccupied with. Two new and useful terms are defined: energy subsidy and Energetic Return on Investment (ERI) that draw attention to the authors' viewpoint. The first is a measure of how much energy an organism or economy (the analogue of an ecosystem) can capture from outside its borders. The second computes the energy returned to an organism as a result of some expenditure, e.g., migration to better food sources.

Countless graphs, tables and data provide empirical evidence to support the hypothesis that economic growth is attributable to the substitution of fossil fuels for the labor of humans and animals. This element is absent from neoclassical economic thought, which would describe economic growth as principally a function of labor and capital, rather than thermodynamic efficiencies or scale.

Although the authors recognize the importance of second law analysis, they make few attempts to take advantage of it. Energy is therefore equated without regard to quality, except for a few instances or examples.

References are copious. Among the contemporary authors cited are David Pimentel, the agricultural energy analyst at Cornell, Herman Daly and Robert Costanza, ecological economists from the Univ. of Maryland.

Hadlock writes in a brisk, thorough style, leaving no stone unturned in what I believe to be an excellent introduction to the subject. I bought this book as an undergraduate student, upon completion of the first course in modern algebra, and it has proved to be an indispensable tool since.

"Fields" takes the reader from the dusty start of air travel in the southwest and transports him to the age where modern aircraft fill the sky in one of the most congested areas in the world. While working for Long Beach Airport, I contributed to that airport's story to this book and am proud to be a part of a work that brings history to life through vivid photographs and exciting stories.

Mike Wimmer's art grabs the eye immediately and doesn't let go. The brief, staccato storytelling is effective, but mainly as an augment to the beautiful visuals, perhaps contrary to expectations. Through the use of atmospheric colors and close-up views of Lindbergh and his plane, you're there to share the thrill, exhilaration, and terror of the solitary pilot. This is a perfect book to convey the excitment of flying--especially its early days--to young readers, and a fine tribute to one of America's great men.

A complete and thorough 453 page history of the events along the coast and inland water ways of North Carolina and Virginia during the American Civil War. Browning provides an in-depth discussion of the logistics, tactics and strategy of the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron, which played a very important and often overlooked role during the Civil War. Its successes benefitted the efforts of the Union's Army of the Potomac and adversely affected the operations of Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia. There is also a succinct explanation of the campaign to capture Wilmington, North Carolina and the broader effects that campaign had on Lee's army. Eight maps, fourteen illustrations and over a hundred pages of notes and bibliography augment the text.

Robert Ornstein is a neurobiologist and co-author David Sobel is an M.D., and together they can write. This is a clear, readable, informative introduction to the brain and its impact on human health - surely one of the most fascinating frontiers in medicine. I read the 1986 edition of the book; some smart paperback publisher should get Ornstein and Sobel to write a new chapter summarizing the latest research in this fast changing field.

As a seasoned professional in the export/import business, I like this book for its breadth of substance. This could also be an interesting college or graduate school textbook for those pursuing a career in the field.

"Issues" is a must read for any intro. to political science class, and a good read for those wanting to know what the issues in today's political rhetoric are all about. The authors offer a balanced perspective, and leave the reader anxious to find out more. Academic in nature, but universal in scope.

The 14th novel in the series has Kipton solving a murder at the first Martian sports games.
At conventions of SF there are many discussions on should the two genres of mystery and science fiction be combined? The answer is yes, if it is done well. Many attendees forget that authors Andre Norton and Robert Heinlien, who brought so many into the fold of science fiction, were writing this type
of story in the fifties and sixties.
Mr. Fontenay does it perfectly, while he also puts the fun back in this type of work. Though the series is geared toward younger readers, anyone can read these charming novels and enjoy them.

I thought Kull was a great book it had some romance , fighting and it had the best tales. that was probly the best book i have ever read but to be honest i gave 4 stars because it could of had more fighting.