This is a very well-rounded book, giving insights into many facets of Viking life and history. It is well-written and very well organized. The index is a valuable resource for other materials relating to those subjects you would like to read more in depth. I highly recommend it!

The perfect book; this is the one and only book that could have ranked higher than Jones' "A History of The Vikings". There are two separate halves to this masterpiece: the first is a compilation of several different authors, each taking on a different aspect of the Vikings: from metalworking to settling to religion, it's all here. The second half is a massive catalogue of Viking artifacts, with tons of pictures and detailed descriptions of swords, pieces of boats, combs, etc.

But in addition to being incredibly well-formatted and informative, this is one of the easiest and most enjoyable books I've ever read. It's written in a way that an expert will get just as much out of it as a beginner, and, being loaded with pictures and text that varies from author to author, it's genuinely difficult to put this book down. You could spend hours just flipping through the catalogue at the end. This is more than just a book: more than any other, this one will take you back in time to the Viking Age. Very very highly recommended.

... I learned something extremely important and I'd like others to know about it.

If it is the case that mutually beneficial cooperation amongst group members will tend to defeat the survival strategy of competing groups who cannot get their cooperative act together, then we need to know about it. Those of us who feel overwhelmed by greed and dominance can take a great deal of solace from the fact that research is finding simple, good-natured cooperation amongst group members... self-selected by whatever criteria are mutually acceptable... create within their group a strategic competitive advantage.

In some cases the group in question is a religious group and in other cases the group is military or polical or economic. The specific purpose of the group matters less than the fact of orchestrated activity by rational means.

Religion is not the only issue, nor the most important issue. Dr. Wilson makes it clear early in the book that what's at stake here is the ultimate fate of the species. Can we learn this lesson of cooperation that natural selection teaches us in time to preserve the species as a whole, or not?

I have spent much of my adult life with the most pessimistic of conclusions on this question. For the first time I believe that the process of natural selection may itself be a model that can be learned from and turned to survival advantage for our species. Sure, the odds remain against our ultimate conquest of the obstacles before us, but David Sloan Wilson has given us good reason to hope... and to struggle ever more vigorously against the forces of deterioration that challenge us.

I read this book after coming away from "Do Unto Others" which Dr. Wilson co-wrote with philosopher of biology, Elliott Sober. The philosophical credentials Dr. Wilson brings to "Darwin's Cathedral" are impeccable. The two volumes together have transformed my conclusion about the future of the human species, and may well transform yours...

This book is a well-written, highly entertaining conjecture on the possibility that group selection has played an important role in the emergence of religion in human societies. As an evolutionary biologist, I must dispute those who have suggested that group selection is fallacious and has been generally discarded by biologists. In fact I give a lecture on the subject in an undergraduate class on evolution. Evolutionary biologists as eminent as Stephen Jay Gould have supported the view that group selection has played an important role in evolution. Predictions based on mathematical models for group selection have been made and confirmed. Many biologists accept it as a given. In the words of University of Vermont geneticist Charles J. Goodnight, its "proven. A done deal. We know it works." Many biologists who came of age in the sixties were widely influenced by the excellent book, Adaptation and Natural Selection by George Williams, and are unable to give up their biases. But even Dr. William's views on group selection are more nuanced these days. Richard Dawkins is a brilliant man but he hardly speaks for all of those who study evolutionary biology. This book, and Dr. Wilson's previous book, Unto others, are excellent primers for those with open-minds who are iinterested in the possibility that there is more to life than the selfish gene.

If you have an opinion about religion, or belong to a religion, most people disagree with you; there is not a majority religion in the world. And surely not all religions can be factually correct, since there are fundamental disagreements between them. So, how is it that all those other, incorrect religions exist and seem to help their members and their societies? There must be something they offer beyond a factual representation of gods and the cosmos (and when it comes down to it, if you belong to a religion, yours must be offering something more as well). If religions do help their members and societies, then perhaps they are beneficial in a long term and evolutionary way, and maybe such evolutionary influences should be acknowledged and studied. This is what David Sloan Wilson convincingly declares he has done in _Darwin's Cathedral: Evolution, Religion, and the Nature of Society_ (University of Chicago Press): "I will attempt to study religious groups the way I and other evolutionary biologists routinely study guppies, trees, bacteria, and the rest of life on earth, with the intention of making progress that even a reasonable skeptic must acknowledge."

To Wilson's credit, he has written carefully about both scientific and religious issues, and readers with an interest in either field will find that he has covered both fairly. His coverage of the science involved begins with an interesting history of "the wrong turn" evolutionary theory took fifty years ago, when it deliberately ignored the influence of group selection. Especially if one accepts that there is for our species not only an inheritance of genes, but also an inheritance of culture, evolutionary influence by and upon religious groups, especially in light of the examples Wilson discusses, now seems obvious. For instance, evolution often studies population changes due to gains and losses from births, deaths, and in the case of religion, conversion and apostasy. The early Christian church is shown to have made gains compared to Judaism and Roman mythology because of its promotion of proselytization, fertility, a welfare state, and women's participation. There is a temple system in Bali dedicated to the water goddess essential for the prosperity of the rice crops; "those who do not follow her laws may not possess her rice terraces." The religious system encompasses eminently practical procedures for promoting fair water use and even for pest control. Religious morality is shown to build upon the principles of the famously successful computer strategy Tit-for-Tat. There is a significant problem, of course, in religions' dealing with other groups; it is not at all uncommon for a religion to teach that murdering those who believe in other religions is different from murdering those inside one's own religion. There is a degree of amorality shown in such competition, no different from the amorality that governs the strivings of ferns, sparrows, and lions.

Wilson's many examples are fascinating and easy to take, but _Darwin's Cathedral_ is not light reading; although Wilson wanted to write a book for readers of all backgrounds, he has not "'dumbed down' the material for a popular audience," and admits that there is serious intellectual work to be done in getting through these pages. There is valuable and clear writing here, however, and a new way of looking at religion which may become a standard in scientific evaluation.

Yes, this book is incomplete, it is a primer! And as such it will instill a set of values that will be useful throughout your career. Magic is not learned in a year, or a decade, but across a lifetime. This is a good book for that first decade. Have fun, enjoy.

I have brought books with an interest in magic/Occultism
This book was one of those books which was an pleasure to read.
Some authors write books and it seems as if they were writing the books with no understanding that the reader has limited
understanding of the subject and buying to book to clarify
concepts that are not understood . Hoping that the author
will accomdate them. In this case mission was accomplished.
It also contained added features which I did not expect.
This book is great.

This book is packed with information on occult techniques ranging from performing master rituals to astral projection to prophecy to amulets and talismans. This book was written by a genuine Welsh magician, using a pseudonym. He takes his subjects seriously but offers them to those who would use them, with the proper warnings given where appropriate. It's an excellent introduction to magic for a beginner and contains information that will be new to current practitioners.

This is a POWERFUL book. A good, quick read from some of our premier modern-day American historians. This collection of essays gives us an inside look at most of the presidencies of the second half of the 20th century. A must read for any history buff.

• Edmund Morris - Last fall, Morris published the controversial biography Dutch: A Memoir of Ronald Reagan. His book The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt earned him a Pulitzer Prize.

• Ben Bradlee - Author of That Special Grace, a tribute to John F. Kennedy, Bradlee is a vice president at the Washington Post. He previously was the executive editor at the Post who oversaw reporting of the Watergate scandal.

• David Maraniss - A reporter at the Washington Post since 1977, Maraniss earned a Pulitzer Prize for National Reporting for his coverage of Bill Clinton's 1992 presidential campaign. He subsequently wrote the Clinton biography, First in his Class. His latest book is When Pride Still Mattered: A Life of Vince Lombardi.

The "Power and the Presidency" series was created on behalf of the Montgomery Endowment by alumnus Robert A. Wilson of Dallas, a communications consultant who put together a similar series, "Character Above All" (dealing with the impact of character on presidential leadership) in 1994 at the University of Texas at Austin.

These well written essays provide vivid glimpses of varying Presidential personalities, with thoughtful discussion of individual strengths and weaknesses. To me, especially in an election year where character is a major issue, it was an enthralling read, with highlights of qualities such as "Reagan's voice, which was a large part of Reagan's power..." or the speaking style of TR, with plosive P sounds, which "would pop with Gatling-gun force. The effect of his oratory was to bury every word in the psyche of his listeners." or the political genius exhibited by FDR who talked "at a level at which very few people could follow him and understand what he was really saying" that FDR also recognized in a young congressmen, LBJ, as "he saw Johnson understood _everything_ he was talking about." I enjoyed reading these examples of behavior and the illuminating contrasts such as: "It is hard to imagine two more different men than Dwight Eisenhower and John F. Kennedy..." or "despite the major differences in their temperaments--indeed, I would argue, because of these differences--Eleanor and Franklin forged their historic partnership..." I would recommend to readers the book "Presidential Temperament" by Choiniere and Keirsey, another well researched volume which gives an explanation of "how each President's temperament inevitably expressed itself in his behavior, both in office and in his personal life."

Hyatt - master of no subject but queen of flimflam and snake oils. There are more informed writers (it would be hard to be less informed)for those wishing to learn about the subject Hyatt claims to have knowledge. Stay away or buy it for kindling to keep your body warm while reading a real book.

SEX MAGICK, TANTRA, & TAROT
BY Christopher S. Hyatt and Lon Milo DuQuette.

First of all this book is simple to understand and the directions are quite clear. This is a book that can change you for the better if you work it. Its a way of using the tarot in a special reading "not an ordinary divination" to know of yourself on a more deeper level. It will prepare you for Kundalini and the knowledge and conversation of you Holy Gaurdian Angel. Even if you like I have had in the past and still have the knowledge and conversation this book can help you on a more deeper level. It uses the systems of Tantra, Sex Magick and Ceremonial Magick to achieve this. It also has a chapter on how the Tarot and the Tree of Life and Qabalah are all put together. This book is great for those who wish to have this High Magickal experience, it should not be passed by. The book is 191 pages but dont let that fool you as there is a wealth of information here. Too me its one of those treasures I considder priceless and I will hold on to for good! ! ! I am very pleased at what has been put into this book. Even though I had the knoledge and conversation with my HGA many years ao I found these techniques to be helpful in streanthning my relationship with my Angel. I still like using this book as a reference.

Hyatt and Duquette team together for a ritual using sex as the meditation in gaining insight, enlightenment, samadhi - whatever it may be. Also using your Tarot cards coupled with astrology to determine the time and place of the ritual (conversation) of the Holy Guardian Angel. Spelled out by Hyatt and Duquette, both learners of Israel Regardie, in an explanatory manner how to achieve invocation through sex with a partner or yourself.

I'm new to V:tM but find myself swept away with a fervent intellectual passion for the material. If you're a hardcore gamer, a follower of vampire literature, interested in religious history, or simply like a well-written story - then this series will spark your interest. It takes place around the time of the Crusades and follows one possible backstory of the Knights Templars. You'll be introduced to the V:tM Vampire clan known as the Lasombra and an enigmatic duo(I will let you figure out who I'm referring to) which engage in a millenia encompassing fencing match of immortal chess. All sorts of questions come up in regards to Occult history, etc. It will entertain you and pose questions to those of us who have an open mind and an appetite for knowledge.

This book of the Dark Ages series is one of the best and it speaks clearly of the vampires and quest for it's own needs. I recommend this to anyone.

If you like vampires, fantasy and the crusades then this is the book for you. it is well written and has a great story line.

Christianity, an offshoot of Judaism, was from its very beginning (at Pentecost) and evangelical faith. In fact, it's not so much a religion but a two-thousand year recitation of Redemtion through Jesus Christ. And in those twenty centuries some of the most unlikely and indeed offensive people who ever lived have found peace in Christ. It's good to pray for everyone simply because that's what Christianity is -- it's not a secret society or a clique, but men and women born again of the Holy Spirit who only wish others to share in that Spirit.

While it's good to pray for everyone, leaders of society especially need prayer support, whether they know God or not. Any buttressing will be appreciated. But the down side to this book is that while lists of influential people should circulate for prayer, putting them in a book and selling them seems on the face of it rather on a shakey foundation. It also gives Christophobes, the enemies of Christianity, who are quick to misinterpret anything Christians do from bigotry or fear, a reason to point to us as if we are somehow being judgmental, when in fact we're merely doing our Christian duty to pray for our leaders, whether our leaders agree with us or not.

Christians should stay up with the times (as Kierkegaard said, keep the Bible in one hand and the newspaper in the other), and this book really is only for anyone so clueless they don't can't name world and business leaders on their own.

I have found the book to be inspirational. Even those spotlighted who have no spiritual aspirations have done some things either very right or very wrong and thus teach the reader.
It is so succinct. Whoever wrote up the summaries was genious in
being salient. The write-ups are not only compelling, but riveting. It always leaves me thoughtful, reminded of the words
"We each will be remembered for one thing". Prayer just happens as I read - prayer for the individual. And the prayer helps
are very thoughtful and not trite as easily could be the case.
Only problem: It's three years old. The other day I quoted
from the book concerning the close spiritual bond between Jeff
Gordon and his wife. Someone brought me up short, "Haven't you
heard, they're getting a divorce?". But even that gave me pause for thought. Like anything old - fruit or pie - it spoils fast. Please, Kopp, Kopp, Wilson, do a 2003! Thanks for a great
job! Be encouraged! May your tribe increase! S.F.

This is a great prayer tool for Christians in their daily devotions. It encourages people to prayer each day for a different influential person. A picture of the person and a concise article telling how the person influences the world is included for each day of the year. The authors encourage non-judgemental praying for all individual even those with whom people may disagree or find offensive.

This book shows adopters who treat their new family in a humane way--unlike closed adoption, which is a system that's both outdated and cruel. I wouldn't recommend it as the first book prospective adoptive parents read on the topic, because the extreme openness of the Howells' adoption might make them think they had to achieve such closeness right away, but I do recommend it be read. I cannot fathom the comments of the reviewer above. Is she even a triad member?

In short, a good book on an important topic.

I completly disagree with the review that Kirkus Reviews has posted. This book changed my life after I read it. Like Nancy, I became pregnant in high school with the only reasonable alternative to be adoption. After speaking with a number of agencies, I decided that I wouldn't be able to place my child in the traditional, closed adoption. I loved the idea of open adoption because I could continue to see my son and keep in contact with him while continuing on with my own life. When he comes of age and understands what the situation is, I will be able to tell him why I made my decision and why I placed him. He won't question my love for him since I have played such an active role in his life. I understand that some people, birth parents as well as adoptive parents, may not agree or feel they could be a part of this type of relationship, but we think it works just fine for us.

WE WERE GOING THROUGH AN OPEN ADOPTION THAT HAD IT'S MOMENTS. I HEARD OF THIS BOOK BECAUSE THE SUBJECTS WERE ON A TALK SHOW AND I THEN PURCHASED THE BOOK. IT KEPT ME GOING AND I WAS AMAZED AT HOW SIMILAR THE HOWELLS' CONCERNS WERE WITH OUR OWN. IT WAS NICE TO SEE HOW IT IS POSSIBLE FOR EVERYONE IN THE ADOPTION PROCESS TO WORK TOGETHER FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE CHILD INVOLVED. FOR THE REST OF THE CHILD'S LIFE THEY WILL NEVER QUESTION WHO THE ARE OR WHERE THEY CAME FROM. I ONLY HOPE THAT OUR STORY TURNS OUT AS WONDERFULLY AS THIS ONE DID.

Learning with Technology: A Constructivist Perspective analyzes and advocates a different teaching methodology from the traditional teaching methodology. Although the focus of the book is on technology, the authors explain why the constructivist paradigm provides a more effective method for teaching students to think and to learn in all aspects of education. Constructivists contend that knowledge is constructed, emergent, and grounded in action or experience. Constructivism is relatively new to educational analysis; however, it is not new to the theory of knowledge.

Teachers in the classroom and academics are the audience for this book. The authors not only argue for a change in the dominant paradigm of traditional teaching methodology, but also provide concrete examples of activities for using constructivism and technology to allow students to construct knowledge, to think and to learn. Constructivist learning emphasizes the five different attributes of meaningful learning which are (i) intentional learning, (ii) active learning, (iii) constructive learning, (iv) cooperative learning, and (v) authentic learning. Real learning requires combining the different elements of meaningful learning.

The authors describe six ways to use technology and constructivist learning to allow students to construct understanding and learn. The authors describe the types of technology in very basic terms and the specific hardware and software that are required for the classroom in order to partake in the activities described in the book. For each technology, the authors describe activities and projects that can be used to facilitate learning. They also describe the learning process, the role of the student, the role of the teacher, and ways to assess the learning process.

For example, the Internet can be used to allow students to construct complex knowledge bases. The Internet facilitates knowledge exploration by students. Students can find information on the Internet, create and build information through designing web sites, and communicate and share knowledge through the Internet. All five attributes of meaningful learning are employed in the activities described for using the tools of the Internet. Empowering learners to construct knowledge through active learning and the creation of learning communities can be achieved through the use of the Internet as a learning tool.

Video is an additional technological tool the authors advocate to support constructivist learning. Under the traditional paradigm, film and videos are merely shown to students in a passive manner. Constructivist learning employs video as an active tool that requires learners to produce information, as opposed to consume information. Learners must be active, constructive, intentional, and cooperative to produce video. Newsrooms, talk shows, documentaries, theatre, and video conferencing are all examples of how students can use video to construct knowledge and communities of learning.

Equally important, the authors provide rubrics for assessing the effectiveness of constructivist learning. The authors note that by using technology as the tool and constructivist learning as the methodology, assessment of learning is not a separate process after learning has occurred, but rather learning and assessment are coterminous. Rubrics are tools for assessing meaningful learning. The authors provide examples of different rubrics that can be used to assess learning.

The authors emphasize that technology, similar to teachers, does not teach students; rather, students only learn when they construct knowledge, think and learn through experience. Technology is merely a tool to enable students to construct knowledge. Understanding cannot be conveyed to students through teachers or technology; rather, students construct understanding themselves through tools such as teachers and technology.

The goal of this book is to advocate educational reform and change through constructivist methodologies by demonstrating specific examples of how the tools of technology can be employed to empower students to construct knowledge and meaning. The book embraces post-modernist thought without examining or explaining its theoretical underpinnings. The authors presume that the constructivist theory of knowledge should be accepted among educators without deconstructing the traditional paradigm.

Numerous theoretical issues posed by this book require further thought and analysis. At the end of each chapter, the authors pose "things to think about" and list numerous questions for further discussion. These questions pose a beginning for future thought on this topic, but the questions focus more on attempting to demonstrate why constructivist learning is a superior methodology to the traditional educational methodology without showing how it is better.

Constructivist thought raises serious and significant issues as to how to best educate students. Although technology is an important tool for education, it is not the only tool. The book raises many questions of how constructivist learning could be employed in the field of education to increase knowledge and critical thinking. The authors recognize that change is difficult to effect in society and in education.

The book provides a different way to think about technology in the classroom and how technology can best be employed in the learning process. Constructivist learning places the ultimate burden of learning on the learner as opposed to the tools employed to learn, which includes teachers and technology. Constructivism may provide the impetus necessary to reform education.

This book is a very long essay into how to use computers to help students learn. It begins with a short and very readable explanation of constructivism, one of the first that I've been able to understand. It then goes on to argue for constructivist uses of technology in the classroom, suggesting ways to use technology to do more than drill and practice or even simple training in productivity software. The main technology topics in the book are: video; hypermedia; e-mail, chat, and bulletin boards; and simulations. Many examples of specific software or websites are examined in great detail, with suggestions about possible learning processes, student roles, teacher roles, and assessing learning. References and thought questions are presented after each chapter, and there is an index. Nevertheless, I wouldn't use this as a textbook in an introductory educational technology course where students have limited expertise with technology. I think it might work well, however, if the students are thoroughly familiar with technology and are ready to give careful thought to its role in the classroom.

This is a great book mainly because it is the only one of its kind. It covers many aspects of the science of pedal power.

I find that the data supporting some of the experiments, and the conclusions from that data, could use some more flesh. For example, I'm still not entirely sure why a larger diameter wheel has less rolling resistance, but the data supports that conclusion.

I agree with other readers that the book could use an update.

I think this is a great book IF you're a scientist (like me!). Like the other reviews say, it is a little dated - but results are results.
There is a wealth of info in this book, most of it is technical, and there is some fascinating things on human powered flight & HPVs.
I can't remember the exact figure that was quoted for the weights of some of the older historical bikes, but I find it hard to believe that there were such lightweights a hundred years ago (like 6kg). Knowing what I know, I just don't think it would have been feasible.

If you are interested, I wouldn't wait for an updated edition, because they might not make it, and this one is getting pretty darn hard to get.

Warning: I am an engineer with a Ph.D.. So I might enjoy some things that may other can't appreciate. Bicycling Science is for the bicyclist, or someone interested in human-powered vehicles (HPV), who has a background in science, engineering and/or mathematics. I absolutely love this book. There are few books that I've enjoyed more. The reasons why I don't give it five stars are below.

This book can help one separate reality from marketing hype. Does cutting down the weight of spokes really help much? How does crank length affect performance? What affect does cooling have on a cyclist? How much does the difference between cheap bearings and good bearings affect performance? How fast should you really pedal? Are aluminum, titanium and carbon fiber vastly superior to steel? How heavily is someone breathing when they begin breathing through their mouths? How efficient is a person on a bike (in energy per mass per person per speed) compared to a bus, moped, swimmer, horse or hopping bunny? How many wives can you trade your bike for in Nigeria? These questions, and many more, are answered in this book.

The style is very much that of an academic journal, and the book is a survey of the literature in the field. References abound. The authors do their best to combine the results from different sources into a coherent reference. If this style is familiar to you, then you will not feel out of place with this book.

Chapters in the book include those on human power generation, cyclist cooling, wind resistance, the wheel, mechanical friction, braking, balancing and steering, materials and stress, and future developments. I particularly like the chapter on stability, an apparently controversial topic. The chapter presents a plausible theory supported by experiment, and provides a simple equation to calculate a stability factor for a bike design. The book concludes with an interesting chapter on what advances can be made to bicycles and to the infrastructure to make biking more viable as a form of transportation.

I mainly did not give Bicycling Science five stars because it is getting out of date. I'm sure that much additional research has been performed since the 1982 copyright date, and many advances have been made in the last 20 years, particularly those as a result of the International Human Powered Vehicle Association (IHPVA). The materials section could add data for some of the newer materials used for bikes such as Reynolds 853 steel and some new titanium alloys. Also, the authors tried to present data from different sources on common graphs, and in some cases, I am still puzzled at how to interpret some of the plots. I also felt that sometimes I had a bunch of data dumped in my lap with no conclusions being drawn. For example, after reading the chapter on human power generation, I wasn't sure if one should always attempt to pedal at 90-100 RPM, or should reduce cadence for the required endurance.

My complaints are few and minor, however, and I highly recommend this book to the cyclist, or cycling aficionado, who relishes the math and physics.

The only book that I've heard of that seems to be similar is High-Tech Cycling by Edmund Burke. However, I've not seen it, and reviews of it seem few and far between.