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Book reviews for "Zholkovsky,_Alexander_Konstantinovich" sorted by average review score:

The Insect World of J. Henri Fabre (Concord Library Series)
Published in Hardcover by Beacon Press (1991)
Authors: Alexander Teixeira De Mattos, Jean-Henri Fabre, Gerald Malcolm Durrell, and Edwin Way Teale
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A perfect tonic for the pseudo-science of Darwin et. al.
If you want to read a boook which is, at once, intelligent, lyrical and scientific, this collection of the writings of J. Henri Fabre should not be missed. He not only walks you through his many thought-provoking studies of the insect world, but also challenges you to consider from whence came the many wonders described therein. Contrary to what other reviewers have said, Fabre's education was not a hindrance to his observations. Indeed, true science (which means, after all "knowledge") is concerned with objective reality, not theoretical flights of fancy. We in the modern world have been lulled into believing that the world is composed of random collections of atoms, that all life is derived - has evolved - from some lower form of life, that all is in flux, and, ultimately, that there is no God. Read Fabre's writings - read them carefully - and dare to think otherwise. He shows, in experiment after experiment, that the insect world is not random and that "Nature acts for an end". More to the point, the results of Fabre's experiments show us that while insects act REASONABLY, they do so without the use of REASON itself (in particular, read chapter six, "The Ignorance of Instinct"). In other words, they act upon the impulse of instinct, which, is itself entirely logical and rational. Such rational ends, it becomes manifestly clear, cannot be the result of a random process of evolution, but must arise from the unseen hand of an intelligent creator. So much for Darwin. But don't believe me - read the book, and then try taking a look at DARWIN ON TRIAL and DARWIN'S BLACK BOX as well (both are excellent books which make the larger case, beyond the insect world, that Darwin was wrong).

The best book about insects I have ever read!
This book tells the secrets of insect behavior. The author observes very closely the lives of the many species he studied. This is nature at her smartest and her blindest; beauty, horror and science. Highly recommended by me.

An inspiration that is contagious.
Exquisitely written, my imagination was immediately captured by Fabre's patient observations and his poetic retelling of each adventure. Once called an "incomparable observer" by Charles Darwin, Fabre's unsurpassed enthusiasm springs to life on every page. Since reading it a few short years ago I have ever since felt inspired to sit longer in the fields and to spend more time just observing. Admittedly, Fabre was self taught and isolated. He stubbornly disagreed with the theory of evolution. Looking back on his work it is easy to see the mistakes he made, blind spots in his approach to the larger aspects of biological research. Still, if you decide to read this book I'm sure you will be inspired to be with insects. What better thing to do?


Make Doll Shoes!
Published in Paperback by Hobby House Pr (2000)
Author: Lyn Alexander
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Never thought I would make Doll Shoes
This is a great book to get started making Doll shoes. I had thought about wanting to make Doll shoes for a long time but until I got this book I had no idea how to get started. I'm now having lots of fun making all kinds of Doll shoes. Great book to get started with.

Wonderful Book! Easy to follow instructions!
This is a clear guide to making doll shoes. Patterns come in many styles and sizes, there is even information on changing the patterns to fit your doll. Before I got this book I thought that making my own doll shoes would be too difficult, but they aren't. The shoes are adorable and easy to make, you don't even need special supplies. I made shoes using materials I had on hand. Much more fun and cheaper than purchasing ready made doll shoes. Plus you can make them to match the dolls outfit. You can even design your own shoe styles once you have made a pair or two! Her other book on making leather shoes is also excellent! I made the leather boots and they were darling!

Just what I needed!
Very simple and easy to follow. Focuses on fabric shoes only though - so anyone looking for something on leather shoes may be disappointed. Also, the shoes are generally in the style and size of antique French dolls. I don't make clothing for those types of dolls but I found the information to be transferrable for my purposes. If you want to know how to make doll shoes, I highly recommend this book to get you started.


Man on the Moon (Newmarket Shooting Script (Paper))
Published in Paperback by Newmarket Press (2000)
Authors: Scott Alexander, Larry Karaszewski, and Larry Karazewski
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Puts the film in an entirely different light
If you've seen the film enoughto be fiarly familiar with it's structure and narrative,this script will be a revelation.As stated in the title,this is a "shooting script",the original version submitted to the producers at the onset of the film's production,before the actors and director started fiddling with it.There are many,many scenes and passages here that greatly clarify the direction of the story and provide crucial motivations and psychological subtexts that you may miss in the completed film.However,scriptwriters Scott Alexander and Larry Karaczewski provide insight into this in the fantastic forward to the script,in the process giving a fascinating glimse into all the labirynthine exigencies involved in getting an original spark of insiration into the multiplex.They explain the step-by-step process of telling Kaufman's story-what to put in,what to leave out,how to handle certain aspects of his life,shaping the messy,complicated,and open-ended events of his career into something resembling a coherent,three-act drama.Ultimately,they decided-wisely-to treat the film as Andy would have,to let his art and performances define the film,just as they defined his life,and to use a constantly shifting base of perspective to keep the audience on thier toes,a brilliantly executed exercise in what-is-real and what-isn't.If you loved the film,this script provides an essential companion that will give you a new appreciation for it,but even if you're not particularly fond of it,or even Andy Kaufman hiomself,this is still a fascinating look at the creative process,and how it holds up throughout the production of a film.Highly recommended.

This IS a shooting script!
WOW! This is a GREAT example of a shooting script, something that was very different before the movie, and was molded into a more "managable" form through shooting and editing.

But is managable a better thing? Scott and Larry are great screenwriters, and crafted a great screenplay here. However, Milos Forman (the director) took the movie and made it into something not as personal as it could have been. Oh well.

But this is why shooting scripts that are actually the original script before any shooting ever took place are important (you hearing this American Beauty?). To show us how a screenplay can change when it goes from paper to celluloid.

Read this screenplay to see what the movie could have been like :)

Yes! It's that good!
"Man on the Moon" has to be on my top three best screenplay list for 1999-2000. It's a great screenplay with great words and conversations. I love it and I'm sure you will too.


Microsoft Windows 2000 Security Handbook
Published in Paperback by Que (07 August, 2000)
Authors: Jeff Schmidt, Dave Bixler, Travis Davis, Theresa Hadden, and Alexander Kachur
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I met Jeff Schmidt
I met the writer for a job interview, he is a great guy... but who cares? this is a boook review right? I work for a computer emergency response team and we use this book as a "security crash course" and as a hard reference. If you want to know about windows 2000 security this is seriously the book to have. It is very technical and not for script kiddies. If you are just looking for something to use as a basic refresher then skip this, get a microsoft book or something tame. This is grassroots hardcore good.

One of the best books I paid for
This book easily complements my Win2K manuals. Most notable chapters are 28-29, i.e. Penetration Testing: Hack Your Own System and Writing Secure Code. Highly recommended for anyone trying to secure their Win2K environment. Pity it's not available in PDF.

Excellent, in-depth discussion
While most security books are simple walk-through guides, Mr. Schmidt's text contains all of the details that the others leave out. While parts were well over my head, I appreciated the focus on technical completeness and understanding of security concepts. This book was an excellent addition to my bookshelf and I highly recommend it.


Mine enemy grows older
Published in Unknown Binding by ()
Author: Alexander King
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Uncomfortable, entertaining, original, unfairly neglected
I don't know whether I would have liked King if I had known him, or whether he would have liked me. (In egotists mutual liking is usually based on misunderstandings.) There was much in his life to cause anger, and there was much waste. King was a mercurial spoilt brat with enormous talent, great compassion, great selfishness, idiosyncratic tolerance and intolerance, impressive culture, totally variegated experience, a marvellous capacity for talking about it, and enormous charm. He raises serious doubts about some of what he says, but says it all with such natural conviction that I accept most of it as stated, and most of that without doubt and little reservation.

His is not the charm of the evil, but irresistable rake, nor is it the cutesy "I may be a spoilt brat, but am I not sooo lovable?" It is a talent for dealing with people in certain contexts, and many walks of life, combined with tremendous articulateness, a fine command of English (and, apparently several other languages) an eye for the intriguing, the ridiculous, the deep and the shallow. And a capacity for attracting the people and the disasters that he wrote about so inimitably.

King was artless about his talent. No bragging, no false modesty. The subject comes up repeatedly, but always in context and always naturally and inoffensively. (He was an artist and writer! What do you expect?) He had great wit and he had great humour. In all four of his autobiographies there are many passages that are dangerous to read with a full bladder and there is hardly a page without a light irony that never breaks surface as a grin. I shall not retail them here. I am not King. Read them yourself. And do not expect to read just another book of gags by a reminiscing humorist. King is beyond that. There is a great deal more of life in his telling, than I for one would have liked to live. The expressions he used, such as those quoted by other reviewers in this column, are plentiful, frequently creative, and apposite. But those are frosting on a very substantial cake.

I cannot understand why his books are out of print. Such a combination of entertainment, talent and charm, not terribly dateable in the sense of being tediously topical; I should have thought it to be an instant classic of indefinite appeal. His writing is rewarding at several levels, ranging from gags to art and sociological comment. If you read it without profit, then I am afraid I have nothing to say to you, for we are mutual aliens.

But for anyone who has read this far through this review, I recommend King's books urgently and without reserve. I meant every word of the title. I have thousands of books, but I frequently re-read King's four, usually beginning by dipping in, then growling about no time to spare, and re-starting from the beginning.

A Loving Tribute To Alexander King, The Year 2000
Mine Enemmy Grows Older is one of King's best books. As Mr. Kolpan stated in his review, no one could describe a doctor's voice more accurately when King said, "it sounded like marshmellow syrup being strained through a bra." King really could write very vivid descriptions about anything. He usually wrote about what he knew; which i feel made him great. One should remember that King learned Engilsh as a second language; he was born in Austria. He developed a fantastic vocabulary in a short time. He met all the big "shot" publishers, including Mrs. Luce. He was constantly being hired and fired on his way to the top as an artist for newspapers,etc. His "zany" stories are missing from the present day world of writing: no one talks like him anynore--and i find it "sad."

There is simply no one like the incomparable King.
I read this book in the late '60's and it was a used copy even then. But absolutely no one can give you the feel of New York's Greenwich Village scene in the real bohemian days like Alex King. I had occasion to interview Al Hirschfeld, the caricaturist who was Kings best friend. He considered him the smartest man he had ever met. And only King could describe a doctor's cloyingly soothing voice as being "like marshmallow syrup strained through an old brassiere." All of King's four (!) autobiograhies are fun. This one is the best.


Miracles in Action
Published in Paperback by Wright On Time Publishing (15 September, 2002)
Author: Angela Alexander
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Amazing
This was an amazing book. I have met Angela and am amazed at how positive she is all the time, despite what she has been through. God has worked wonders in her life and brought her through some very tough challenges. I would recommend this book to anyone who needs to see God at work. It is amazing to see how someone can continue seeing the good in difficult times and a difficult world. I can't wait to read the next book.

A guide to healing
Mrs. Alexander's book has shown me how to heal through the love of Jesus Christ. It is a must have book for anyone who has been down the road of grief and loss. This book belongs in every church's bible study and small groups. Finally a book that shows us how to live life with Christ and not be stuck on our own sadness.

Miracles In Action by: Angela Alexander
Miracles in Action by Angela Alexander is a book that I feel that has changed my life and has helped me to keep myself together. Whenever I find myself feeling down and out about different problems in life that I am facing or going through. I think back about how Angela was such a strong loving and
forgiving person. I think back into the book before the loss of her two boys. Angela faith was put to the test when her husband was so ill. I have read this book five times and still I don't know if I had to walk in Angela's shoes if I would have the strength and the courage to continue on in life as she has. I think Angela for being able to stay strong because if she had let herself become otherwise she would not have blessed me and many others with this book.


Never Offer Your Comb to a Bald Man: How to get what you want by giving others what they need!
Published in Hardcover by New World Library (30 March, 2001)
Author: Alexander J. Berardi
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Inspiring, Instructive
As we rise in levels of responsibility in organizational life, we begin to hear the tern, "servant leadership." Essentially, it's giving of yourself to support others, rather than leading by dominating others. A number of books have been written on the topic, but this one is different. The title is deceiving; your first thought might be that it's a parody or pick-up on Harvey MacKay's "Never Give a Naked Man Your Shirt."

This book is about knowing yourself so you better understand others to serve them and the world. It's about getting off the merry-go-round of life and making a positive difference in the lives of those around us. Berardi has given us a book that is thought-provoking . . . and heart-provoking.

I found myself turning down so many page corners that I finally gave up. There are nuggets on practically every page. "All things are possible for those who find their own unique way of serving others." "You don't have to be perfect to live a purposeful life as a servant leader." "We have blocked so much from our lives, we find that we're not really living at all." "People don't necessarily know what it is they actually need because they're focused more on what they want."

The first of the four sections of the book explains servant leadership. Then readers gain a wonderful experience in part two, learning how to get themselves ready to truly serve others. Part III is The Practical Side of Identifying and Serving the Needs of Others. The last section of the book describes Miracles in the Making. A reading list and index enhance the value of this volume.

Never Offer Your Comb to a Bald Man is illuminated by stories from the author's life, from the experiences of perspectives of people he has known, and from stories of others who bring life to each of the author's points. Although, this book is hard to put down for enjoyable and thoughtful reading, it can also serve as a text for what a lot of business leaders need to learn. I imagine a number of people who have read this book have slowed down, reoriented their thinking, and gained a whole new perspective and level of productivity in their lives.

Absolutely Outstanding, In Business And In Life
Apart from being an outstanding and entertaining read, this is a book which succeeds in all respects. The case studies are compelling and genuine, the insights are original and thought-provoking and the application of this wonderful book is as appropriate in life as in business. This book should be required reading for all who earn their living in the service sector. How frequently do we encounter "service" which strives to provide that which is expedient, rather than that which is required. The value-added, holistic vision of the author is both revolutionary and remarkable. A book of substance, rather than "feel good" platitude, yet one which leaves the reader feeling good. If you read no other business book this year, this book is the one!

An Inspirational Read....
This book was thoroughly inspiring for me. I could relate to so much of what was written. I was not even aspiring to achieve personal success, but after reading the book, I was inspired to reach deep down and re-evaluate exactly what I want out of my life. He has so many personal stories which are really touching, and very easy to relate to. He breaks down the traditional belief that the world is served by leaders and followers and says that it is the servant leader (the quiet, unassuming people) that most often emerge as some of the greatest leaders of our time. Throughout the book there are many references to Moe Howard from the Three Stooges and how his life showed classic signs of servant leadership. It was refreshing to read a book that could be so "light" at times - bringing humor to his stories. If you pick up nothing else this year, pick up a copy of this book and read it. You won't be able to put it down, and you will find yourself having a refreshed energy towards your life and your ultimate goals. Personal happiness can be achived, and Alexander J Berardi gives us some tools with which to find it.


New & Improved Pokemon Edition of Blast: Create Your Own Collectable Card Game
Published in Paperback by Windstorm Creative (1999)
Authors: Alexander Gekko and Gille Myotis
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Great improvements
This edition of Blast is greatly improved over the first. An excellent group project for 4th graders (9 years old) and up.

Much better than the first one
I liked this book because it let me make my own card games with Pokemon with my brother. It also has a contest that I did for free! I liked it because you get to make your own cards anyway you want and you can also make cards that aren't with Pokemon. I made ones with dinos.

Creative, fun and challenging
Young people love Pokemon right now so I thought I'd try something different in art. I brought in ten copies of this book and walked students through the process of making their own made-up Pokemon on the cards. Now their energy is focused on their unique creations. A great idea, Alex and Gille.


The Magic Meadow.
Published in Hardcover by Westminster John Knox Press (1975)
Author: Alexander Key
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Wonderful!
I read this book several years ago, and then again, and then again, and then again.... I loved the ideas included, the suspense about what the children's fate would be (would they manage to escape to their secret location? Would all of them make it?), and the characters. The story has a sort of bittersweet joy at the end, perhaps because it both shows how much humans can screw up and what they could potentially reach. My only annoyance was at the end, which to me seemed to stop too suddenly and left readers hanging (I won't explain, for those who haven't read the book). Definitely recommended!

Excellent book!
The ideas in this book makes you long for the "magic meadow" which Brick, Princess, Charlie Pill, Diz Dobie, and Mrs. Jackson find them magically transported to. A delight to read! You will read it over and over; and retain Alexander Key's vision.

The book i have never forgotten...
This book has affected me in the most incredible way. I read and reread this book all through school. It is simply the most magical, amazing book. Magic Meadow helped me believe that anything is possible and that friendship is an important and powerful force. I am haunted by images from this book and i am thankful for having read it at such a young age so many years ago.


More Simplified Magic: Pathworking and the Tree of Life (Pathworking on the Tree of Life Series)
Published in Paperback by Dragonhawk Publishing (1997)
Authors: Ted Llewellyn's Practical Guide to Imagick Andrews, Pagyn Alexander-Harding, and Pagan Alexander-Harding
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Great for basic understanding!
Even though I have been studying the occult for years as well as being raised around it, I never studied much of the kaballah. This book is great for learning the backbone of the study and the Tree of Life, yet for those of us who have been studying in general, it doesn't make us feel as if we have to start from the beginning again. It was a great starter to more in depth books such as Dion Fortune's Mystical Qabalah and others. It isn't a boring read either (though some parts go slow as it is more in depth). I took it with me while travelling for work in between conferences and such. Great book and deefinitely recommend it whether you are a beginner or someone advanced wanting to study a different aspect of the occult such as the Three of Life.

Another excellent book by Andrews
I have found all of Ted Andrews books to be practical, helpful and insightful- this work has some of the most practical tools for magicians studying pathworking and is an excellent reference text

Excellent Sequel to Simplified Magic
Ted Andrews further develops the ideas and practices of his book "Simplified Magic". In this book he gives the details and correspondences that lead to a deeper understanding of qabala, the Tree of Life and of course, oneself. Ted's "Imagick" approach to practical qabala is very straight forward and easy to follow. The advanced meditations and pathworkings contained in this book really helped to deepen my qabalistic meditations and my understanding of them. Many thanks to Mr. Andrews for getting me started on the path.


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