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The book, developed by a committee of writers, editors, and publishers, is organized around five major categories, Preparing an Article for Publication, Style, Terminology, Measurement and Quantitation, and Technical Information. Each of these categories is, in turn, broken down into chapters that probe various aspects of each category. Finding information is easy, and the writers have used examples generously to make the points clear.
The first section, Preparing an Article for Publication, is, naturally slanted more toward authors and those who toil to prepare author's manuscripts for publication. There are many guidelines offering advice that ranges from preparing the abstract to preparing any of six different types of acknowledgments. Editors and copy editors would do well to review this chapter as well. The section on citing Web sites alone is crucial reading.
I suspect, but cannot prove, that many researchers will not read deeply beyond the opening chapter, feeling that the remaining sections are more the province of copy editors and journal editors. Perhaps there is some merit to that line of thinking, but all authors in the medical sciences would benefit from the copious advice here, and the better writers, I'm sure, do follow the principles of grammar, punctuation, capitalization, and usage set forth in the section on style. Common mistakes, such as confusing case and patient, redundancies, and the ever so ticklish topic of race/ethnicity are some of the many points discussed thoroughly.
The section on terminology is so mind-bogglingly detailed that all one can hope to do is remember that the AMA Style Guide will almost always have the answer if you have a question about an abbreviation (how many times is something mistakenly called an acronym instead of an initialism?), medical nomenclature (a huge chapter that is the heart of the book), or eponyms (which, thanks to this guide may now be a topic we can quit haggling over).
Measurement and Quantitation continue to be a bane for many writers and editors, though without delving too much into specifics, let's say that this section will answer most questions but not without careful reading and perhaps a look at the Chicago Manual of Style for a bit clearer presentation on this topic. The chapter on statistics, unique to this guide, notes how to express confidence intervals, confirms that the word Student in Student t test is capitalized (sorry, but this text editor on Amazon.com does not display the italic t), provides a list of statistical symbols and abbreviations, and offers valuable tips about displaying equations. And those examples barely hint at the wealth of information here.
A final section on technical information provides a thumbnail guide to good layout and design of printed materials, worthy sets both of copyediting marks and proofreading marks (which are no doubt often photocopied and posted in a visible location), an excellent primer on how to edit hard copy, and a glossary of publishing terms.
If you are a medical writer or editor, odds are that you already either have a copy of this guide or you borrow one from a colleague. If you are an aspiring medical communicator, you will need your own copy so you can mark in it, attach tabs, and leave open on your desk.
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I began collecting quotes and anecdotes from the life of Lee many years ago and started dreaming about a book in 1999. This book is the result of that dream. The book is specifically directed to "young gentlemen," or those who aspire to be, but I believe the book can be enjoyed by everyone. It is full of some of the better quotes culled from reliabile biographies and Lee's personal letters. Some were Lee's "personal maxims" that were found after his death in a worn military satchel by CSA chaplian, William Jones. The book also contains some little known anecdotes from the life of Lee that illustrate his sterling Christian character and humility. Many that have reviewed the book have been complimentary:
"The Maxims of Robert E. Lee for Young Gentlemen is inspiring and full of anecdotes and quotes, some long forgotten, that will guide men of all ages towards the lost art of being a 'gentleman.' " ~ Joe Farah, Editor in Chief and CEO of WorldNetDaily.com.
"I can think of no better guide for young men embarking on the adventure of life than the maxims of Robert E. Lee." ~ From the Foreword by Harry W. Crocker, III, author of Lee on Leadership and Executive Editor at Regnery Publishing.
"The example of Robert E. Lee illustrates in stark colors what it means to be a man - a model essential for all of us who are products of this distinctly unmanly age. Rick Williams has placed us all in his debt with this wonderful anthology of Lee's wisdom and grace. Must reading for all fathers and sons." ~ Pastor J. Steven Wilkins, author of Call of Duty: The Sterling Nobility of Robert E. Lee.
"This riveting collection of Lee's own stirring words and personal thoughts give amplified insight into the life of a rare and much-needed role model. Imagine for a moment the impact just one hundred young men could have on our land should they develop Lee's passion for personal purity and selfless pursuit of Christian honor. My prayer is that many will read these words not as antiquated or romantic philosophy, but rather as a challenge to humbly follow - and then boldly lead." ~ James McDonald, Publisher, Homeschooling Today® Magazine
The English historian Paul Johnson had this to say about Lee: "General Lee has accomplished in both life and death what few, indeed, hardly any have ever accomplished in all of the annals of history: ubiquitous respect, renown, and acclaim."
In this concise and handy little book of Maxims, Richard Williams Jr. has provided us a window into the man who accomplished ubiquitous respect, renown, and acclaim. In a generation dearth of real heroes it is vital that we put before our children men of valor, duty, and courage. One need look no further than to the example of Robert Edward Lee to see these principles brilliantly exemplified. This is a book that can be read in one sitting, but you will not want to read it just once. If you are like myself you will use this book over and over again. My copy is already marked up and the pages ruffled from where I keep drinking from the wonderful wisdom of the man.
It's my hope that with the publication of books like this one, we may yet again see a generation of leaders who embody the principles of Robert E. Lee.
Whether one believes Robert E. Lee fought on the right side of the War Between the States or not, his life is a great example of self-sacrifice, devotion to duty and always acting in a manner so as to do the right and honorable thing. Not by today's modern selfish, materialistic standards, but by standards that were the foundation of all that is good about Western Civilization.
This book contains a treasure trove of maxims by Lee that he used to guide his own life and to influence the lives of his children as well as those who served under him in the military and were under his care while they attended Washington College (later Washington and Lee University). It is not a cumbersom tomb, but a simple, straight forward book that is broken down into sections that lend itself to being a quick reference book as well as a wonderful insight into a man whose life is truly an example to all.
If more people followed R.E. Lee's maxims, this would definitely be a better world. I highly recommend this book for anyone looking to buy a special graduation gift for that special person graduating from high school or college. This is something that will last a lifetime.
I went, if you didn't, buy this. Lots of love, Liz Delag xxx (young, British and an artist...shouldn't I be famous by now?)
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MOSTLY THE LIFE OF A DOCTOR IN PRACTICE OF SURGERY (70% OF BOOK)
Unlike Doctor Stories which have a wider range of stories, this book except for a couple of sidelines is about the craft of the Doctor, in and out of the Operating room and Hospital. Also, the doctor's perspective on the outside world. However, I wonder how many other doctors have his sense of service. Some of us can't imagine a high-priced surgeon performing the service he does in "Toe nails" one of the stories within.
DETAILS AND THE EMOTIONS AROUND THEM, FILL THIS BOOK:
Richard Selzer writing is poetic in his description of a doctor's musings on the Art of Surgery, the halls of the hospitals and the feel of working inside the human body. In many sense his reflections on his relationships with the tools he uses could the same a mechanic, a draftsman (of the 50s-80s), or the artist feels about the tools they use to perform their craft.
POETIC DETAILS ON EVEN THE MOST ORDINARY SITUATION:
He finds beauty in the minute details of life and has the gift to write about them. I also have his book "Mortal Lessons" that I hope to read soon as well. His books are addicting in the sense that you too also begin, if you don't already, to see the details of your own work and the relationships you have with the world around you. Either I think similarly or his thought process is universal, but he captures the magic of living and the impressions we all have at time. Even if you are not a doctor (and I'm not), you will find a sense of familiarity in his writing.
MEDICINE MAY BE WHAT HAS FINE-TUNED HIS SENSES:
Medicine however, has a draw that few other crafts do. It is the mystery of our own plumbing. It also has the human element of relationships and drama within it as well. The author does well to capture the patient's relationship with the physician. Richard Selzer does well to capture the detached relationship; a physician has with the body but not the soul of the patients, he treats. When he acknowledges the person within the body the relationship broadens and he as a physician has opened himself up to the pain as well. He does this from time to time.
ZEN-LIKE IN THOUGHT:
I found this book very Zen-like in its concentration of detail. If Richard Selzer decides to write a book like "Sweeping Changes" a book on Zen philosophy on cleaning, but except on the art of living, he would be well-qualified. He makes holy what many take to be ordinary. Bravo.
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I've actually found it more usable than the subsequent Que title "Using Visual FoxPro 6" - which has different authors and different approach. Que should have simply upgraded their 5.0 title.
You won't be sorry with this one.
bigchip@aol.com
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Now for a little continuity. This graphic trade paperback presents the stories from BTVS comics 13, 14, and 15. They also comprise numbers 4, 5, and 6 of 'Bad Blood,' the story of Buffy's conflict with Selke. It is the sequel to the trade paperback of the same name.
"Delia's Gone" introduces us to an entirely new Cordelia. She is determined to help Willow win the intramural quiz-bowl competition when another contestant is vampirized at a bad time (it there a good time?). Selke has her looks back and does a little partying before hatching a plot to take out The Slayer and turn Sunnydale into a meat market.
"Love Sick Blues" finds Buffy trying to figure out where a sudden run of super vampires is coming from. Fortunately, they seem to spend as much time picking on each other as they do making food runs. Of course, Selke and Doc Flitter know what's cooking, but they are not about to share the information.
Angel and Giles try to track down the source of the strange vampires in "Lost Highway." Buffy is trying to make it to a concert one what was supposed to be her night off, but, as usual, a few 'things' get in her way. Selke and the Doc have gone over the edge cooking up a bit of a surprise for our girl with the stake.
Artwork is by Cliff Richards and Joe Pimentel and is up to their usual high standard. The 'extra' in this book is an interview with Cliff Richards (who lives in Brazil) and includes many of the trial sketches that got him the job. Of all the illustrators that have worked on the comics, Richards seems best at capturing the characters as they appear in the program.
Andi Watson's story line is getting a bit erratic as the series progresses. The individual plots compete with the Selke story arc, creating a profusion of scene shifts. This doesn't seem to work as well in the intense format of a comic story as it does in a media where there is more space to grow the story. Even so, this is another 'must have' for the determined Buffy fan.
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Neither one of the Atwater Sons Seventeen Year Old Jim and Nine Year Old Byron want to visit Florida but since they are still minors they have no choice. Their father Howard works as a Real Estate Agent who lives in a Two Bedroom Bungalow but their first night together is far from amicable. Jim blows up at his father for walking out and Howard's feelings are understandably hurt. The next day, Howard sets the rules down. What he did wasn't right but he still doesn't deserve to be disrespected in his own house. They reach a pact and as time goes on Jim and Byron grow to love Florida, especially Jim who loves everything from the Palm Trees, The Weather but most of all, Marietta, a Waitress who works at a nearby diner whose southern drawl could melt the heart of any Yankee, but when he insults her by insinuating a "Relationship" between her and his father, she reminds him sternly about how selfish he's been acting. She knew all about the family situation way before they came down to visit but all she did was try to make their stay more pleasant and most of all, it wasn't her fault that his mother died and that his father left and in that moment Jim realized how selfish he was acting. He was angry at his mother for dying and his father for leaving but what he didn't realize was that he expected every person to make up for what he felt he had lost. Eventually, he talks to his father about why he left and his father explains that when he and his mother got married, it was because of Jim's oldest sister Lorraine who "was born" before he and his mother got married. They tried to make a go of it but somehow they couldn't. He also knew that it was best that they were raised by their Maternal Grandmother and Great Aunt Alma who took excellent care of them. As the summer progresses, Jim develops a bond with his father and even works as an assistant at his office but when Howard asks if Byron can stay, Jim says no but as time goes on, he realizes he can't deny Byron a chance to have a father when he himself didn't have a father. So Jim agrees, Byron stays and by the end of the summer, the three Atwater Men put differences aside and reestablish a bond.