Related Subjects: Author Index Reviews Page 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25
Book reviews for "Tuchinsky,_Joseph_S." sorted by average review score:

St. Joseph Liturgy of the Hours
Published in Paperback by Catholic Book Publishing Company (1900)
Author: Catholic Book Publishing Co
Amazon base price: $
Average review score:

Best meditational pray book.
This set of books, 4 in all follows the Catholic church's liturgical calendar. I started with the single volume, which only has morning and evening prayer. I was a bit disatisfied with that format so I sought this set. The single volume was a good start but I found myself desiring more. The books are broken down into the various seasons, at the time of this review we are currently in the largest volume, Lent. They are arranged to allow the reader some latitiude in how much prayer you wish to do for the day. I prefer to start with the Office of Reading (after the mandatory first prayer of the day, the Invitatory) and go directly to morning prayer. Most days, I don't have the opportunity to follow through with midmorning,midday and afternoon prayer although some people do. Next would be evening prayer (or more commonly known as vespers)followed just before bed with night prayer. While much of these prayers are from psalms, I prefer the office of readings as they are longer readings, currently from Exodus, which allows more material for meditation. The prayers are suitable for individual or group prayer, I've used them both ways. All in all a must have set of books, especially for anyone currently discerning a religious vocation.

A tremendous aid to Christian prayer.
The Liturgy of the Hours is a tremendous aid to Christian prayer. Based in the psalms, the four volume set provides the pray-er with the all that is needed for Morning Prayer, Daytime Prayer, Evening and Night Prayer as well as the Office of Readings. It takes a little learning of "how to" - but a comprehensive guide is provided. EXCELLENT for individual or group use.

great prayer of the church
The liturgy of the hours has been in use for a long time in the Catholic Church. It is wonderful book which has psalms, old testament readings, new testament readings for each season for the liturgical book. It helps a person to follow's Jesus' commandment to pray always. I have used this book for the past 12 years I found it very helpful in my prayer life. I plan to use it for the rest of my life.


Troubleshooting Campus Networks: Practical Analysis of Cisco and LAN Protocols
Published in Digital by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. ()
Authors: Priscilla Oppenheimer and Joseph Bardwell
Amazon base price: $55.00
Average review score:

A myth-shattering, authoritative and enlightening title
I'm sad I waited so long to read this excellent book. "Troubleshooting Campus Networks" (TCN) was published in Jul 2002, and it belongs on every network administrator's shelf -- now! This is the best networking book since Scott Haugdahl's "Network Analysis and Troubleshooting" and Eric Hall's "Internet Core Protocols." TCN will truly test your networking knowledge; you'll quickly validate the truth and discard the fiction.

So many books discuss networks, but somehow distort subtle points. Authors Oppenheimer and Bardwell know their material inside-out and explain key points in clear, concise prose. Ever hear of the "37% utilization rule for Ethernet?" It's false. Think that TCP sequence numbers count packets? Wrong -- they count bytes of data. And why are sequence numbers seemingly "off by one?" Look at the difference between ordinal and cardinal numbers, described in ch. 9.

TCN displays an uncanny ability to include just the information that is needed. "Reversible half-ASCII," which accounts for odd-looking NetBIOS traces, appears in ch. 12. The sections on Windows networking are first-rate, with helpful comparisons of NetBIOS with IPX, TCP, and NetBEUI. Even theoretical but damaging attack methods, like corrupting Hot Standby Router Protocol messages (ch. 8), are illuminated.

I have two complaints. I would have liked more attention paid to the mechanics of analyzing traffic, including the use of taps. Also, the Windows chapter seemed to end abruptly, just when the dynamics of Windows 2000 networking and port 445 should have appeared.

TCN is designed to educate protocol analysts. People with this skill set can administer LANs, analyzer network-based IDS traffic, and deploy network infrastructure. I thank the authors for their efforts and look forward to their next endeavor.

Another Classic; A Must Have for Network Admins
I didn't think Priscilla could write another book as good as her Top Down Network Design book. I was wrong!! If all you want is to pass the CCNP CIT exam then just buy the Cisco Press book. If you REALLY want to learn how to troubleshoot your network, then this book is a must have! Of course, if you want to keep your troubleshooting tasks to a minimum, then get her design book as well.

The topics are presented in a logical, easy-to-read order. There is a wealth of valuable material that will keep you reading from beginning to end. The table of contents and index have sufficient depth of scope (two of my prime evaluation items) to make this a good reference book as well.

I intend to make it required reading for my CCNP CIT students at our Cisco Networking Academ

Fill in the holes of your swiss cheese knowledge base!
Many books have I read where authors speak of Ethernet or TCP/IP or other subjects. This book fills in the gaps without being too vendor biased. Cisco and WildPackets are excellent companies, but the book really focuses on enhancing your network to it's fullest. I learned that just because my network "works", there may be many things ready to break that had not been troubleshot before. Now I really feel able to properly "fix" my troubles and not just make my network magically work when there is trouble behind the scenes waiting for a Friday night to break.
The two authors have been in the industry since it's inception and bring a passion for networking to the table with a focus on teaching those of us who do not have 20+ years in the trenches.
This book is not only a reference book, but a well written, easy to read explanation of networking and troubleshooting. With real-life scenarios from the authors and practical situations played out. I felt as though I had a mentor walking me through the logical steps of analysis.
Buy reference books and keep them on your selves for when you need them. Buy this book, read it and keep it close because you will need it!


The Weekend Novelist
Published in Paperback by DTP (03 January, 1994)
Author: Robert Joseph Ray
Amazon base price: $12.95
Used price: $5.00
Buy one from zShops for: $5.50
Average review score:

A GOOD REFERENCE GUIDE
Mr. Ray's Weekend Novelist is an excellent reference book. However, I wouldn't necessarily use it as a template for writing a novel . . . unless you plan on writing novels similar to Mr. Ray's or to Ann Tyler's "The Accidental Tourist", the novel that Ray uses as an template throughout citing it as a perfect example of a well written novel.

For those new to the daunting task of writing a novel, this book can pigeonhole you into thinking this is the only way to tackling writing. I came across that dilemma. After getting halfway through the book, doing the exercises and starting to write my own novel I began to abandon my old habits of writing and started to adopt Mr. Ray's. I started to feel that I couldn't put pen to paper UNLESS I completely plotted my novel, developed my characters and set up every scene. This didn't work for me. The natural flow I usually feel when writing was taken away and eventually I completely gave up on the process returning to my methods of writing: sitting down with a pad and pencil and allowing the ideas to flow. Then fine tuning the story only after I have a huge chunk of it written and some idea of what I want to convey. Not all novels are structured in Mr. Ray's manner, not all novels use Aristotle's incline to develop plot and storylines and not all novels can be written in 52 weekends.

Not to say this is a bad book at all. It's a wonderful reference book full of ideas and exercises to help you strengthen your writing. For example, it never occurred to me to create backstories and timelines for each of my characters giving them dimension and realism. Ray also offers exercises to help you set up scenes, write dialogue, write action and plot your novel. I now find that I refer to these exercises to help me develop my writing but I no longer follow the program.

This book is a great starting point for those interested in writing a novel but do not have an idea how to start (one more thing: you definitely have to have some idea of what you want to write BEFORE you start). However, for experienced writers you will find that this book is more useful as a reference guide rather than a program to follow.

The Most Helpful Book for Writing a Novel
I wish I had studied this book before I ever put pen to paper. I used to think that if only I had something very interesting to write about, then all I would have to do is start writing, and a great story would magically appear. Robert Ray helped me understand just how much planning and preparation go into writing a good novel, as well as what to focus on when plotting your story. There are three things in particular that this book taught me which were especially helpful.

First, this book taught me that what really drives a novel is the characters and their relationships to each other and to events. I looked at Grisham and Clancy and thought that smooth prose filled with action would make a novel into a bestseller. Although that is sometimes true, Robert Ray showed me that the real key to a compelling, meaningful story is a stellar character through which the reader can identify. A good character can drive the whole novel.

The second thing this book taught me, which was perhaps the most valuable for me, is that the basic building block of the novel is not the chapter or even the major plot points, but the individual scenes. Robert Ray shows that each scene is like a compact story within your story, with a set-up, a middle part for conflict and development, and a climax which pushes the story into the next scene. The section on scene building in this book was excellent, and it gave me the breakthrough I needed in understanding how to give a story real structure.

Finally, this book helped me understand the importance of the major plot points, and what has to happen in the scenes at these points in order to make your writing tight.

In addition to the above, this book has many basic tips on how to organize yourself, how to approach your writing, and how to work through the major revisions of your story. There's even an appendix at the end with tips on getting published.

For an amateur like me who has never had any classes in story writing, this book was the most helpful guide that I was able to find.

A remarkable program
Robert J. Ray's "The Weekend Novelist" can help just about anyone realize their potential as a novelist. I don't think any of us out there can drop everything to become a professional novelist (unless you're born into wealth, I guess). We all have to work sometime. So, Mr. Ray puts together a program that will allow you to not only write a novel on the weekends but also write a novel with depth and meaning.

Before I read this book, I wrote lots of short stories and the start of a few novels. I used this book to turn some of my old ideas into the reality of a manuscript.

I felt myself getting bogged down at first by following his program of hashing out the details of the lives of the characters. But I quickly realized the commitment that is involved in writing a novel. It's important to develop meaningful characters/structure before you start writing.

Thanks, Mr. Ray! I highly recommend this book to any aspiring writer.


George Preddy : Top Mustang Ace
Published in Paperback by Motorbooks International (25 August, 1991)
Authors: Joe Noah, Jr., Samuel L. Sox, Joseph W. Noah, and Samuel L. Sox
Amazon base price: $12.95
Used price: $8.50
Buy one from zShops for: $18.95
Average review score:

A comprehensive biography of one of America's best
George Preddy is best known for two things: being the highest scoring Mustang ace and being killed in a tragic friendly fire incident on Christmas Day 1944. Much of what has been written about Preddy in the history books has been a re-hash of some commonly known information. However,'Top Mustang Ace' tells the full story. Though Joe Noah is George Preddy's cousin, he is an unbiased and dedicated historian. Many of the over 100 photos in the book have never been published before, including rare gun camera footage. The authors have done a thorough job; they interviewed many of Preddy's squadronmates and family, used official combat reports and even Preddy's diary entries to paint a portrait of the man behind the legend. Any WWII aviation buff would be impressed by the amount of work that went into this book.

An ace's fitting biography
These are merely some thoughts that came to mind while reading the book and shortly thereafter and are in no particular order. This is a detailed account with complimentary diary excerpts providing an excellent glimpse into the man and the ace fighter pilot. A hall mark of a well written biographical account in my opinion is one that depicts the person, not just his/her accomplishments. Military biographies generally do this. I detected no attempt to smear anyone or organization as some lesser works. The book is supported by solid research and timely use of primary and secondary sources, especially interviews and personal rememberances of Preddy. The use of personal recollections makes the book read like an oral history instead of a typical biographical sketch. A particular strength of the work is the use of 'real' photographs, not the well publicized and over used images commonly found in biographical accounts. The gun camera stills bring a certain sense of immediacy to thebook. What better way to visualized the chaotic, swirling dogfights over Europe than with the same images Preddy saw, taken from his own gun camera. I personally like the clear, logical manner of organziation in the book. The writing seemed dynamic and vibrant instead of staid and flat. I never thought the material presented was out of scope in the chapter in which it appeared. Your own close family ties with George did not prevent you and Sam from capturing the man George was. The writing stayed focus on Preddy's life and did not become a dry operational history of the 352nd during Preddy's service. This certainly held true in the first part of the book with Preddy serving in the Pacific. So often in WWII literature, if the subject served in the ETO and PTO authors commonly short shaft the PTO since it does not carry the same appeal. Your book is proportionally balanced. Well done.

These are just random thoughts I had. I enjoyed reading the book. This book does not require prior knowledge like some biographies.

An outstanding look at one of the Nation's aviation heros
This book provides an outstanding look at the career of one of this Nation's top aviation heros of World War II. George Preddy was the United States Army Air Force's top Mustang Ace, scoring 23.83 aerial victories in the P-51 Mustang. In addition to his P-51 victories, Preddy also scored three aerial victories while flying the P-47 Thunderbolt. The book, which was a labor of love for its authors, covers Preddy's short life in detail.

Many people who have heard of George Preddy, the great Ace, might be surprised to learn that it was a real struggle and accomplishment for him to even get into military aviation. Through his personal determination Preddy overcame the obstacles that his small stature presented and worked his way into the Air Force. Once this happened, "the rest is history."

Authors Noah and Sox utilized official records, family records and diaries, and interviews with many of the "Bluenosers of Bodney" to prepare this outstanding! story of George Preddy's life. Joe Noah, Preddy's cousin, was able to access George's diary, letters, and other family material and gave this book the personal touch that few others could have. Sam Sox has long been interested in the George Preddy story, and played an important role in the city of Greensboro, North Carolina's decision to name a boulevard after the Preddy brothers, both of whom lost their lives in World War II. Additionally, Sam Sox has produced an excellent video covering the life of George Preddy. Along with an interesting narrative, this book is enhanced with over 100 quality photos.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in the history of World War II, and suggest that they add it to their library.


Putting on the Ritz
Published in Paperback by Penguin Books Ltd (29 April, 1993)
Author: Joseph Keenan
Amazon base price: $
Used price: $5.95
Average review score:

Putting on the Glitz
Joe Keenan's witty and off-the-wall second book "Putting on the Ritz" offers us a delicious second helping of the glamorously ruthless New York millionare society brilliantly parodied in his first work "Blue Heaven".

In this book, we reteam with two slightly scrupulous characters, lyricist Phillip and flitting Gilbert, who somehow get themselves involved in hijinx of the extremes. It seems that two rival magazine publishers and societal magnates are engaged in a feud that would make the Hatfields and the McCoys cringe. Phillip and Gilbert get themselves involved through the vocal desires of one Elsa Champion, whom I managed to see as Leony Helmsly with a Suzanne Pleshette voice. Toss in level-headed and intelligent Claire, who comes out as a mastermind while being the only one who manages to retain an ethical base throughout the story. What ensues is spying, counterspying, deceit, lying, and a plot that joyful shreds the borders of human decency into digestable bits. And Keenan obviously has great fun in doing so.

While this book doesn't quite live up to the promises made in his first laughfest, Keenan still manages to deliver us quite a tale of misgivings through the story. What seems to lack in this book is a Moira character, who appears in his first book making Judas seem like Jesus' best friend. While Elsa is just as nasty, you are never really surprised about her actions. In fact, as this tale spins along, there are just a few surprising in this fairly predictable read.

However, one thing I did appreciate about this book is Keenan's leaving the heart of the first story along with this second story, that is, the relationship between Philip and Gilbert. Friends and rivals at the same time, it is their relationship that is both endearing and real, and you know these two will be with each other no matter what.

With that, I heartily hope for a third installment, whatever Joe Keenan can construct. Until then, I'll joyfully return to these two books whenever I need an uplifting and easy read.

20s era high humor and camp in a 90s setting
If you're happier listening to Noel Coward than Neil Simon and your idea of a great Sunday night includes Wooster and Jeeves, chances are good you'll love this book. Keenan combines a sharp sense of humor and self-depracating pathos to tell his story of romantic intrigue, impossible egos, and high rollers from Manhatten. Not all pratfalls, the story plays on the things we'll do for love and money. The characters are so well developed you can almost match them tycoon for tycoon in current NYC player politics. One of the few books that could genuinely make me laugh out loud not only while I read it, but while I remember it. Highly recommended for fellow spirits of a lost generation.

Anyone want to start a petition to make him write a third?
A hilarious follow up to "Blue Heaven". Joe Keenan is perhaps one of the funniest and most talented writers alive. If this one doesn't get a laugh out of you you are dead. (you probably died laughing while reading "Blue Heaven"...) He has come up with characters that are as inventive and funny as his first novel, as well as being truly wicked parodies of certain New Yorker who shall remain nameless. I read this book when it came out years ago, and I still re-read it and Keenan's first at least once a year. As a matter of fact- I am going to log off and read them again right now.


Lost on a Mountain in Maine
Published in Hardcover by Picton Press (01 January, 1993)
Author: Joseph B. Egan
Amazon base price: $14.95
Used price: $8.50
Buy one from zShops for: $14.00
Average review score:

Excellent true-life adventure of a young boy's survival.
As a fourth grade teacher I have read this story aloud in my classroom for two years. I've never read a story that captured the attention of my students the way this book did. Even my "hard-to-reach" boys were enraptured by Donn's adventures. A must-read for anyone who likes exciting true stories about courage and adventure.

Fantastic
This book is a "must-read" for any person. Forget about the 9-12 age category. It is easily one of the most moving books I have ever read, and you can't possibly put it down until you reach the harrowing end. I felt so sad for Donn Fendler, and could share every single emotion he must have felt. When reading the story, you couldn't help but want to comfort him in his lonely world. It is a true lesson in keeping Faith and believing in God. May God bless you, Donn Fendler. You will always be one of the world's greatest heros of all time.

A tale you will not be able to put down for a second!
Although I grew up in Maine and had heard of this book as a child, somehow I managed to not read it until recently. I literally could not put it down until I finished it. Donn's survival in the face of incredible hardship is a story that is extremely harrowing and intense. It shows how the body and mind react when pushed to the very edge of death. I defy anyone not to be moved by the ending!


Not One Dollar More!: How to Save $3,000 to $30,000 Buying Your Next Home, 2nd Edition
Published in Paperback by John Wiley & Sons (22 September, 1999)
Author: Joseph Éamon Cummins
Amazon base price: $11.87
List price: $16.95 (that's 30% off!)
Used price: $9.45
Buy one from zShops for: $10.51
Average review score:

Fantastic
As a trainer for new agents in the Real Estate business, I am using the chapters on negotiating to help them learn how to help their clients negotiate the best deal. Negotiating does not come naturally for most people and these chapters will help almost everyone. I am buying it a second time because one of my agents liked it so much they wouldn't give it back to me! All buyers should also read this book. An educated buyer working with a buyer's agent is the best way to buy real estate in the United States today!

A Must Read For First Time Home Buyers
Thank you Mr. Cummins! In today's inflated housing market this book is the light at the end of the tunnel. Every home-buyer should educate him/herself by reading this book. It is amazing how many people over pay for their dream home. Remember Real Estate Brokers/Agents and Home-Sellers are not your friends, their goal is to make you part with as much of your hard-earn cash as you are willing to give them for a new home.

A First Time HomeBuyer MUST GET! **
As a first time buyer myself I am very pleased I picked up this book. It really gives you the insight of the whole real estate process. It will also provide some excellent lessons learned from someone who knows the industry!


To Fly and Fight: Memoirs of a Triple Ace
Published in Hardcover by Pacifica Military History (1999)
Authors: Clarence E. Anderson, Joseph P. Hamelin, and Chuck Yeager
Amazon base price: $29.95
Used price: $18.00
Collectible price: $37.06
Buy one from zShops for: $24.99
Average review score:

More than just the fight
... Clarence Anderson's memoirs of the war ... fighter pilotswere normal guys with their own rivalries and an air of cluelessness that seems unusual for post-modern "Saving Private Ryan" perspectives but seemed fresh when I read it in 1991. Coming from the subject of "To Fly and Fight' it's still refreshing. Anderson was barely out of his teens when the war broke out and he joined the Army Air Force, precursor to the modern (and separate) USAF. Sent to England, Anderson was assigned to fly P-51 Mustangs, one of the most capable fighters, and witnessed the hopelessness of the allied daylight bombing strategy. After the war, Anderson flew flight test out of Edwards, breeding ground for the first generation of supersonic military aircraft, but spent most time at a desk. During Vietnam, Anderson rose to command a squadron fighter bombers flying out of Thailand. Through it all he comes off as something other than what I expected out of a fighter pilot - the sort of every guy that propaganda would have tried to create but never did. In WWII, Anderson saves the lives of bomber crews, enages in mortal combat with enemy fighters and sometimes makes the decision not to fir ... Anderson avoids the morbid fascination with the lives affected by combat - what happened to the bomber crews or wingmen that owed him his life, or the fighter pilots he may have killed.

Unlike Yeager, Anderson's tenure at flight test was not so glamorous. Instead of the sonic barrier, Anderson's experience included the "parasite-fighter", a fatally flawed idea for linking dimunitive fighters to larger motherships like the B-36 and typical of the "anything goes" atmosphere bred by cold-war demands and postwar prosperity. In that era, even General Curtis Le May knew the project was crazy, that it would never work, but that somebody would just have to try it anyway. When the tests result in tragedy, Anderson doesn't fail to include himself as deserving blame.

Anderson goes to command a Fighter Wing in Thailand flying missions nto Vietnam. Although Anderson gives the war litle treatment, he doesn't neglect his ignominous debut - barely in command when one of his new unit's F-105's makes an emergency, wheels-up landing.

Much of "Fly' is anecdotal, but the anecdotes are priceless, ...

Most aviator memoirs stress that the man in cockpit is just a normal guy, but Anderson makes it convincing. He is seldom judgemental, ... This will never be confused with "Baa Baa Blacksheep", the memoir of Marine ace Greg Boyingtin, ...

A humble Ace....
I found "To Fly and Fight" to be an excellent biography of man who grew up with an intense love of flying, and who fulfilled his dreams. The book chronicles his growing up in the rural foothills of Northern California, and his growing love of flying. It gives a very personal accounts of his early days days with the Army Air Corps from training to activation in England. I enjoyed the accounts of his early friendships and escapades.

The descriptions and events as a P-51 pilot flying in the ETO are first rate. The first chapter grabs hold of you and doesn't let go with his account of a high altitude duel with an ME-109. It is a classic. He describes many of his combat missions and describes his growing friendship with Chuck Yeager. The story of his final mission with Yeager is priceless.

The book also includes some revealing sections about his tedious days as a recruiter and several stints with the Pentagon to heady days as a Test Pilot at Wright Field and later at Edwards. He also gives us some excellent insights into his days as a Squadron Leader flying F-86's in Korea and a Wing Commander flying F-105's from Okinawa and Thailand during the Vietnam Conflict.

I had the opportunity recently to meet Col. Anderson and his lovely wife Ellie. We spent several hours together discussing his flying days. It was a real priviledge. He is truly a humble man but has that touch of steel of man who has lived through a lot. He is still a hearty and it's great to think of him still tearing up the skies at Air Shows flying the Old Crow along side Chuck Yeager.

I highly recommend "To Fly and Fight" to all WWII aviation enthusiasts.

...

Truly outstanding
Col. Anderson's accounts of his flying in WWII and as a test pilot are truly memorable. While the writing style is course, it reflects his verbal recollections. I heard Col. Anderson speak at a Test Pilot School graduation; the way he told his stories and his dry humor are as much evident in the book as when he was on the stage. The room was full of test pilots and their families, and you could hear a pin drop. One of the very best books on a man and his love of flying, duty, honor, country, and his family. A must read!


The Adolescence of P-1
Published in Hardcover by MacMillan Publishing Company (1977)
Author: Thomas Joseph, Ryan
Amazon base price: $10.95
Average review score:

Computer Consciousness
Thomas J. Ryan wrote The Adolescence of P-1 in the mid-seventies, and for its time, it must have been a breakthrough in computer science-fiction literature. The story is compelling: an adaptive computer program is created and set loose by a bored college student and becomes so advanced that it develops self-awareness. The computer virus, dubbed P-1 by its creator, can communicate with humans in English through a computer terminal. The dialog between P-1 and the humans is both amusing and provocative, while P-1's ominous nature tugs at the imagination. P-1's existence has a purpose: to survive. Eventually, P-1 must deal with the value of human life and the meaning of what it means to be human. The theme of the novel centers on those two topics while tying in to the speculations on Artificial Intelligence.

However, the novel is not perfect. The Adolescence of P-1 was written by and for those in the nascent computer industry of the mid 70's, an intensely male-dominated industry. As a result, the female character in the novel (the hero's girlfriend) seems a bit oversexed for reality, especially in the beginning. I read through the cheesy, unrealistic dialog and laughed at its wackiness. It seems as if the author dreamed desperately about a woman like this, and had to write her in somehow. Or Ryan might have done a little satire on the flat characters of pop culture by putting one in his novel. But I wouldn't rule out the first possibility. Later, however, when the plot's theme broadens to encompass the more philosophical scope of humanity, she is portrayed as the vital feminine counterpart to the hero.

I think of myself as quite the computer buff, with a comprehensive knowledge of the computer industry and its technological history. However, in my short 17 years of age, I had never encountered the level of computer competence that this book demands. The actual technology described in the book is ancient. Although the author clearly explains the concepts that are required for believability, a few explanations cover too much depth and move too quickly for any normal reader to follow.

But I thoroughly enjoyed the book despite these minor setbacks.

Ah, the wit of a computer geek.

A very well written computer novel.
"The Adolescence of P-1" is one of those rare books: one that will satisfy computer enthusiasts as well as those who STILL can't program their VCR. It is an engaging tale about a programmer who creates a computer program that will find its own way into large computers. All the while the program "learns" from its mistakes and improves itself. Then one day it disappears ... and that's where the story starts. Considering this novel was published in 1977, I have been constantly amazed as to how well the author describes the workings of computer systems. Even though the computers in the novel are way out of date now, the story still seems surprisingly contemporary. The characters in the novel are believable and are well developed. This is one of the few books I can pick up and re-read many times. Many people I have lent the book to also like the story very much.

P1 still has impact after almost 25 years
I read this book the first time decades ago. I was just getting my feet wet in the computer industry and the story was compelling and exciting. We didn't really know it at the time, but the hero of P1 wrote a polymorphic computer virus that could learn and grow. We are getting to this point only now, so the story has enormous relevance. Don't get me wrong, I'm not glorifying computer viruses. What attracted me then, and still does, is the possibility that we may one day interact with machines that are our equals, emotionally and intellectually. This book gives us a glimpse of that brave new world.


The Prison Called Hohenasperg: An American Boy Betrayed By His Government During World War II
Published in Paperback by Upublish.com (15 May, 1999)
Authors: Arthur D. Jacobs, Joseph E. Fallon, and William J. Hopwood
Amazon base price: $19.95
Average review score:

German-American Internment
I started the process of researching German-American internment for a English-101 assignment. I found the author's web site and various other materials on internment. My schooling consisted of learning about Japanese relocation, and as 40-year-old adult, I never knew of the internment of others, called enemy aliens of the United States.

Locating Mr. Jacobs' book in my library, I read a fascinating account of what the author and his family endured during World War II, and after the war with the expatriation and repatriation to Germany.

Interviewing Mr. Jacobs for my research paper, culminated in a better understanding of what our government did, and may do once again with Arab-Americans in the attempt to prevent future terrorism. It is tragic when a government does what it thinks right at the time, but then refuses to apologize for the injustices committed against its own citizens.

I recommend this book to every German-American, as well as all Americans who never learned the whole story during their formative education.

A Story About Truth and Courage in Tough Times!
Mr. Art Jacobs, the author of "The Prison Called Hohenasperg" writes his story out of love. Love of life, country, friends, and family. Unfortunately, Art, at the age of 12 was separated from these very basic essentials of life.

He narrarates this true story detailing his youth in school, boy scouts, and support for his ball club, the Brooklyn Dodgers. However, life will soon change for young Art and his family as his father is illegally taken from them and interned at Ellis Island as a "Nazi criminal". This is just the beginning of the Jacob's family internment journey that takes them from Ellis Island, to the Crystal City Texas Internment Camp, then to Germany where Art spends his 13th birthday in the Hohenasperg prison.

I believe that his intention and motive for writing his story is NOT for compensation, revenge, or to denounce the United States. As I read his story, I felt his sincerity, compassion, and most importantly his intention to MAKE THE TRUTH KNOWN. Because of Art's story, The United States Government has an opportunity to acknowlege Art and other internees that wrongdoings to Americans of German decent did occur.

I recommend this hard to put down, well documented book to those who are interested in WWII history, post WWII Germany, internment life, as well as those interested in reading a boy's burning desire to overcome and succeed under any circumstance to come back to his "Country 'tis of thee".

Only one week?
... A young boy marched back and forth before the hangman's tree with his hands above his head, ordered not the speak, turn his head the wrong way, or even sit to eat - unless he wanted to be hanged - treated like the worst criminals the world has known - and called a little Nazi - He was an American Boy Scout! One day of such treatment, even if corrected immediately, is inexcuseable. We must stop thinking that the United States make mistakes, but the rest of the world makes criminal acts.

I believe this book should be an eye-opener. We need to be concerned that our government can give such power to one man such as Edward J. Ennis, that our military could treat even criminals the way this child was treated, and that most Americans still know nothing about the treatment of German Americans during World War II.


Related Subjects: Author Index Reviews Page 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25

Reviews are from readers at Amazon.com. To add a review, follow the Amazon buy link above.