Design Paradigms: A Sourcebook for Creative Visualization

Book Description

A versatile toolbox of ideas for creative design solutions.

How do things bend? How are things joined? How do things get larger or smaller? When you work creatively in design or architecture, these are the sort of questions that come up again and again-and how you choose to answer them can play a pivotal role in determining the final form of a design project.

This book offers a powerful new approach to design and creative visualization, helping you address these key design questions with flexibility and imagination by equipping you with a vital repertoire of design paradigms: basic conceptual and visual ideas that can be applied to all types of design problems.

Beginning with fundamental design paradigm concepts, Design Paradigms:
* Introduces simple shapes and then explores how more complex forms can accommodate enclosure, attachment, and other common functions
* Examines how multiple objects relate to each other and how they can be linked or connected
* Looks at multiple functions of a single object, using models that range from a claw hammer to a convertible sofa

Bridging the gap between theory and practice, the book discusses how design paradigms can work as conceptual blockbusters in solving design problems.

Complete with over 300 illustrations, examples from both natural and man-made environments, and much more, Design Paradigms is a powerful springboard for design exploration-a must-own sourcebook of inspiration for students and professionals in all areas of design, product development, and architecture.

Customer Reviews:

Design is everywhere.......2000-11-21

This book is an exciting exploration of universal principles (paradigms) of form and design. Warren Wake identifies the design fundamentals common to such diverse areas as architecture and insects, industrial design and weather patterns. The book is organized around big questions in design, like how two objects can be joined, and how an object can change size. Within each category or chapter, the author takes us through the many ingenious solutions to these fundamental problems, wherever the solutions may be. One moment we're looking at how an armadillo can roll into a ball, then we're seeing how this can be applied to metal construction to bend and change the form of rigid materials. We see the structure of a Swiss Army Knife and then how the principle can be applied to clothing design. The bottom-line message is that "Design is Everywhere," and this book is as good a guide to this view of the world as you'll find. It should be required reading for persons interested in industrial design or architecture, and should be interesting to anyone interested in how things work.

Book Description

To understand Japanese sword polishing is to understand the Japanese sword. Down through the years, the great sword connoisseurs in Japan have been sword polishers. A swordsmith can spend a large amount of time forging a classic sword, but refining and bringing out its final shape, color and texture so that all the details of the steel and hamon (the temper line) are clearly visible is the responsibility of another craftsman - the sword polisher. An experienced polisher can tell immediately by whom a blade was made, so discintctive is each smith's work and so vital is such knowledge to the skilled polisher. The Art of Japanese Sword Polishing is the first book in English to examine in great detail the polisher's techniques - skills it often takes up to ten years of apprenticeship to master. The book illustrates the methods, materials and tools used for this process. But its true aim is to enable the reader to fully appreciate the beauty of a well-crafted Japanese sword. As readers learn both how the sword polisher enhances the beauty of the blade and how he handles the problems of coaxing out its finest qualities through his polishing techniques, they will come to a deeper understanding of the fine art of making the Japanese sword and will be able to view, purchase or collect swords with greater pleasure.

Customer Reviews:

The Art of Japanese Sword Polishing.......2007-01-12

Very Informative Great book To lean about grades of stones and thier uses

Review of "The Art of Japanese Sword Polishing"..........2007-01-10

After reading the book entitled "The Art of Japanese Sword Polishing" I now have a much clearer and detailed understanding of the process used by traditional Japanese sword polishers. The book takes the reader though all of steps from the foundation polish, used to shape and sharpen the blade, to the finish polish, which is used bring out the details of the steel and shape of the temper line, using good text and a fair number of detailed photographs. It includes some Japanese sword polish theory and how Japanese swords have changed over the historical periods. It also explains how the age of the sword can affect how the sword should be polished and what damage can and cannot be repaired by a polisher. In the last section of the book it contains a few profiles of professional Japanese sword polishers the authors of the book had interviewed which I enjoyed reading.
As someone who studies and appreciates the Japanese sword I found the book very helpful in educating me more about the process of how a Japanese sword is polished. I would recommended this book to anyone interested in learning in detail how Japanese swords are polished.

Traditional techniques very different from ours.......2006-08-08

Men have always decorated their weapons. The main items being decorated in the United States have been guns. But in Japan it is the traditional Japanese sword. Being more of a land of tradition, the Japanese sword became more or less standardized in shape as long ago as the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries and polishing the sword had to have followed shortly after that.

There are many books that describe the techniques of polishing and blueing guns. But this appears to be the first book available in English that discusses the polishing techniques used by Japanese craftsmen.

The Japanese practice is a strikingly different process than that used here. Polishing stones, not unlike whetstones but in far more diversity are used. A shop selling such stones is pictured with what appear to at least a couple of hundred different types of stones. And unlike here where stones are simply given numbers to indicate coarseness, in Japan they are given names.

The polishing area used with Japanese swords is a traditional form as well. It sits on the floor, and the polisher typically sits in a traditional position that most of us would find difficult to get into, and impossible to maintain for any period.

All in all, a fascinating book on techniques very different to those commonly used here.

A very good introduction to sword polishing.......2006-06-03

I wish I had this book 20 years ago when I first started to investigate the art of polishing. This book provides a wealth of information on the technigues, the material and the different ways that can be used to get a sword polisihed. In fact, the diversity of the art is highlighted by the book and certainly dispells the notion that there is only one way to restore a blade. The section on foundation polish discusses how to achieve the proper shape without removing too much material. The different stones are described and how each is used to establish and refine the shape. The finishing section covers the range of materials and tools used to bring out the grain and tempered edge unique to the Japanese sword. It also shows the burnishing and how to highlight the boshi.
There are sections that talk about the history of polishing, the schools of polishing and interviews with several modern polishers. As always there is a note warning about the perils to the blade that can be inflicted by an inexperienced person. The book doesn't reveal all the secrets to the art, such as the various forms of nugui (other than the basic hadori and sashikomi formulas),what types of stones work best with each school or era, etc. But it certainly does provide a well documented, well photographed look at this art form. I highly recommend it for anyone interested in Japanese swords.

Book Description

Rare photographs of City Hall, Logan Square, Independence Hall, Betsy Ross House, other landmarks juxtaposed with contemporary views. Introduction. Captions.

Customer Reviews:

Philadelphia Then & Now.......2007-03-20

The pictorial review was vivid and dynamic. It brought back sweet memories of growing up in Philadelphia

Fascinating look into Philadelphia's past.......2003-12-10

This book isn't big (128 pages), and it isn't that wordy (about 80% of the pages are taken up with pictures). But it is fascinating if you like Philadelphia, and you like history.

This book takes 60 locations and has pictures of them. The first part is an "early" picture anywhere from 1859-1952. Then there's a picture on the next page which is more modern (1986-1988). There's also a paragraph or so with each picture describing the area as it was in the old days, and now (the book was published in 1988). If you know the areas well, it's a wonderful jog down memory lane for one's own memory.

It's a very fast read - I got through the entire thing cover to cover in well under an hour. I also wished the pictures (the modern ones anyway, the old time ones can't be helped) were in color, but other than that, it was rather enjoyable. If you're a fan of Philadelphia, and history, I recommend it.

I gave it four stars instead of 5 because of the B/W color thing, and when I was finished with it, I wished there were far more locations covered.

Customer Reviews:

MAD is Hilarious!.......2001-07-06

The Usual Gang of Idiots has stirred up another wonderful book! This is one of my favorites because I love the quotes of the one and only Alfred E. Neumann. Also, one of my favorite MAD writers, Sergio Aragones edited this book! This book is a must-have!

funny.......1998-05-18

i thouht that this book was very funny. the art drawing's where great! the words where well used. i also did not get some of the jokes.but over all it was great.

Mad the Half Wit & Wisdom of Alfred E. Neuman

Average customer rating:

Mad the Half Wit & Wisdom of Alfred E. Neuman
Mad
Manufacturer: HACHETTE BOOK @GRP TIME WARNER
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000QB82VM

Mad: The Half-Wit and Wisdom of Alfred E. Neuman

Average customer rating:

Mad: The Half-Wit and Wisdom of Alfred E. Neuman
Mad Magazine
Manufacturer: Warner Treasures
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000LV7XOO

Book Description

From the housing projects of Newark, New Jersey to the presidency of a distinguished Chicago university to the landscape mile markers of some of the country's most prestigious marathons, Dolores E. Cross has had one incredible journey. She documents all these moments of trouble, triumph, defeat, victory and glory in this autobiographical treatise.

Customer Reviews:

A Story to Be Shared with others.......2001-07-24

College President Dolores Cross takes marathoning to a different level with her candid autobiography of "breaking through the wall," both personally and professionally. This story is a must read for everyone, particularly young people and those who feel that the odds are often against them. Dolores Cross shows how the art of marathoning for her has served as a figurative and literal victory for her success. We can all gain a great deal from this woman's provocative, sometimes painful, journey through life.

Every Educator and Student Should READ This Book.......2001-06-25

Reaching a successful goal in higher education is not easy but can be accomplished. This fantastac story outlines the challenges and obstacles one face in overcoming life's problems, attending and graduation from college, and securing a higher degree beyond undergraduate.

Breaking Through The Wall: A Marathoners Story.......2001-06-23

I found this book to be very inspirational and motivating to anyone who has obstacles in life to overcome. Self determination, hard work and confidence break through walls that present challenges in life. As a result of reading Breaking Through The Wall: A Marathoner's Story, I made significant changes in my life.

disappointment.......2000-11-22

I am a runner and a advid reader. I purchased this book hoping it would give me some insight as to how she completed and trained for a marathon. This was not the book's goal. It turns out to be her life's story.

David Beckham My Story
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David Beckham My Story
Harman.Neil
Manufacturer: Carlton Books Limited
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OQ5D9I

100 Things to Always Remember and One Thing to Never Forget: Words to Live by and Wishes to Share (Blue Mountain Arts Collection)
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100 Things to Always Remember and One Thing to Never Forget: Words to Live by and Wishes to Share (Blue Mountain Arts Collection)
Douglas Pagels
Manufacturer: Blue Mountain Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Self-Help | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books
Anthologies | Poetry | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
General | Poetry | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books
General | Parenting & Families | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Take Each Day One Step At A Time (Blue Mountain Arts Collection)

Always Believe in Yourself and Your Dreams: A Collections of Poems (Self-Help & Recovery)

These Are the Gifts I'd Like to Give to You: A Sourcebook of Joy and Encouragement (Self-Help)

Creeds of Life, Love, & Inspiration: A Guidebook of Everyday Wisdom & Thought (Inspiration)

Mottos to Live by: A Collection of Poems

Accessories:

Health o Meter HDC100-01 "Grow with Me" Teddy Bear Scale for Babies and Toddlers Health o Meter HDC100-01 "Grow with Me" Teddy Bear Scale for Babies and Toddlers

ASIN: 0883967545

Book Description

"Positively wonderful! Words to live by and wishes to share with everyone who is very important to you."

Hope and joy and encouragement… those are so much more than just words on a page. They're essentials that no one should be without. They're feelings and ideals and promises that can come true... and that can be a part of our daily lives... if we just know where to look. Sometimes all it takes is a little reflection and some gentle reminders to help us see the possibilities.

This brilliant little book is full of those reflections and filled with those reminders. It's a very unique collection of words to live by and wishes that would love to be passed along. Part of the charm of 100 THINGS TO ALWAYS REMEMBER... is that it's so original; you won't find other authors encouraging you to do all the wonderful things that you're asked to do in these pages. This is a celebration of the things that can bring more serenity to your days and more smiles to your world.

If you've been looking for a book filled with inspiration, enjoyment, and ideas to always remember... this is one you'll never forget.

Amazon.com

From October 1967 to March 1968, the United States operated a top-secret radar system in Laos near that country's border with North Vietnam. This was a provocative move: Laos was a neutral country. Yet the air force desperately needed all-weather bombing capability in the region, and so the Pentagon decided to take a chance. When Communist troops learned of Site 85, they hit it hard. The result: "The largest single ground combat loss of U.S. Air Force personnel in the history of the Vietnam War."

The public still does not know what happened to nine of the men posted at Site 85. They may have been killed or captured, or perhaps fell victim to "some atrocity" perpetrated by the Communists. The military establishment isn't talking, and neither are knowledgeable sources in Laos and Vietnam. One Day Too Long combines scholarship, journalism, and detective work to learn all that can be known. Apparently there is plenty to hide. "It was criminal to leave the technicians and the other Americans and their security forces stranded [at Site 85]," writes Castle. Yet one conclusion is certain, he says: there is "an unseemly pattern of U.S. government duplicity" surrounding this forgotten incident. --John J. Miller

Book Description

One of the Vietnam War's most closely guarded secrets -- a highly classified U.S. radar base in the mountains of neutral Laos -- led to the disappearance of a small group of elite military personnel, a loss never fully acknowledged by the American government. Now, thirty years later, one book recounts the harrowing story -- and offers some measure of closure on this decades-old mystery.

Because of the covert nature of the mission at Lima Site 85 -- providing bombing instructions to U.S. Air Force tactical aircraft from the "safe harbor" of a nation that was supposedly neutral -- the wives of the eleven servicemen were warned in no uncertain terms never to discuss the truth about their husbands. But one wife, Ann Holland, refused to remain silent. Timothy Castle draws on her personal records and recollections as well as upon a wealth of interviews with surviving servicemen and recently declassified information to tell the full story.

The result is a tale worthy of Tom Clancy but told by a scholar with meticulous attention to historical accuracy. More than just an account of government deception, One Day Too Long is the story of the courageous men who agreed to put their lives in danger to perform a critical mission in which they could not be officially acknowledged. Indeed the personnel at Site 85 agreed to be "sheep-dipped" -- removed from their military status and technically placed in the employ of a civilian company.

Castle reveals how the program, code-named "Heavy Green," was conceived and approved at the highest levels of the U.S. government. In spine tingling detail, he describes the selection of the men and the construction and operation of the radar facility on a mile-high cliff in neutral Laos, even as the North Vietnamese Army began encircling the mountain. He chronicles the communist air attack on Site 85, the only such aerial bombing of the entire Vietnam War.

A saga of courage, cover-up, and intrigue One Day Too Long tells how, in a shocking betrayal of trust, for thirty years the U.S. government has sought to hide the facts and now seeks to acquiesce to perfidious Vietnamese explanations for the disappearance of eleven good men.

Customer Reviews:

One of those Must Read Books.......2005-06-15

This is a great book. Very well written and maticulously researched. I was flying for Air America when all of this happened. Tim Castle has captured it all. It tells a lot about our involvement in Laos, far beyond just the events at Lima Site 85. Thanks, Tim.

I WAS THERE........2001-01-09

As one of the pilots of Jolly Green 67 I simply want to thank Dr. Castle for his comprehensive and historical accurate account of the events at Lima Site 85. This is a story that begged to be told; Dr. Castle pulls no punches, providing a riveting and revealing account. His work was a key factor in the eventual recognition of the heroic efforts of Sgt. Etchberger at the Enlisted Hertiage Hall, Maxwell AFB Annex (formally Gunter AFS), Montgomery AL. A great read.

An American tragedy in Laos........2000-03-21

Congratulations to Dr. Castle for this fine book. A meticulously researched historical work of the finest order that reads like a Tom Clancy action novel. A bombshell that exposes one of the most egregious and hitherto publicly undisclosed tragedies of the Vietnam War. In March 1968 an NVA sapper team avoided detection and attacked a top-secret radar bombing facility (code name Jolly Green) which was manned by sixteen "civilianized" Air Force technicians. The site, LS 85, was located on a mountain top in Laos less than twenty-five miles from the North Vietnam border. The attack caught the technicians off guard and resulted in the loss of the site to the communist forces. Two of those dedicated volunteers manning the site were confirmed killed, five were rescued alive (one died on the evacuation flight) and the remaining nine have never been accounted for and their status remains unknown. This incident holds the distinction of being the largest single loss of Air Force ground personnel during the entire Vietnam War. Why did the Air Force continue to operate this site in the face of considerable evidence the site would soon fall under bombardment and attack by large NVA forces gathering in the area? Was it incompetence or was the site considered so essential to the North Vietnam bombing effort that the loss of the men was an acceptable risk? Dr. Castle looks at these questions in detail. One Day Too Long chronicles the history of Site 85 from its initial concept of operations through the tragic consequence of this miscalculation. But the story does not stop there. It also relates the stoic efforts by one widow to find answers to questions about her husbands death at this site the government was unwilling to provide. This book should be mandatory reading for all future military leaders.

An exposure of a shameful episode in US history........1999-06-26

I have a very personal reaction to "One Day Too Long" in that Mel and Ann Holland were our military sponsors when my family and I were first assigned to an AC&W squadron in southern Spain in early 1961, and I worked with Mel until he rotated to the States. It is embarrassing and shameful to learn how both the military and civilian authorities were willing to sacrifice those men in order to cover up their own mistakes, but I suppose if ALL the truth were known about SE Asia operations, we would not be able to stand it. Dr. Castle has perfomed an invaluable service for democracy. EVERYBODY should read this book! (Ann, we'd love to hear from you!)

Compelling story of a good cause gone bad........1999-06-11

A story of noble sacrifices by military men and their families. Regretfully, those sacrifices were eventually overlooked by those eager to use the PW-MIA issue as a convenient political tool -- first those who strove to keep Vietnam at arm's length, and since 1992 those who set out to use the ploy of alleged "full faith cooperation" to faciliate ties with Vietnam. One Day Too Long shows that when the American people seek to measure foreign government "cooperation" on such humanitarian issues, they must first evaluate the seriousness and good faith of efforts made by their own government.

When One Day at a Time is Too Long: Practical Answers to 42 of Life's Toughest Questions

Average customer rating:

a practical-minded, "moderate evangelical" author

When One Day at a Time is Too Long: Practical Answers to 42 of Life's Toughest Questions
Gerald Mann
Manufacturer: Riverbend Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

The Book of Wisecracks: Windows of Wisdom for Living Well
Common Sense Christianity: For Believers Who Don't Go to Church and Unbelievers Who Do
Common Sense Religion: Renewing Your Christian Values
When the Bad Times Are over for Good: Transforming Trouble into Triumph
Jesus, B.C.

ASIN: 0964727226

Customer Reviews:

a practical-minded, "moderate evangelical" author.......2000-08-17

You might think, "Here's yet another preacher putting in his usual 2 cents about every topic in the world." It's true that many popular clergy write these question-answer format books by the dozens(Billy Graham, Pat Robertson, James Kennedy, just to name a few). This excellent book, however, reveals a Baptist who is theologically and sociologically moderate, with a desire for practicality. The style may be blunt at times, but Mann leaves no doubt where he stands on many issues, breaking with many fundamentalists on creationism, hell, and Biblical innerancy, yet offering concise orthodox defenses on many basic doctrines, as well as dealing with some practical, non-theological issues. Mann's desire for pracicality and relaxed "straight talk" comes through in his other books, but especially in his TV show from his church in Austin, TX. His preaching style is a fresh departure from most TV preachers; personally, he's the only one I regularly watch anymore. His viewpoints sometimes remind me of Tony Campolo - a more well-known Baptist author - but Mann's speaking and writing styles are less hard-hitting. I encourage Christians of all theological and demoninational stripes to look for his TV show "Real Life" in your local listings. I wish more preachers would learn from Gerald Mann that while the Bible may be a sword, it doesn't have to be a club.

Average customer rating:

One Day Too Long
Timothy N. Castle
Manufacturer: Columbia University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OPC5FO

One Day Too Long: Top Secret Site 85 and the Bombing of North Vietnam

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One Day Too Long: Top Secret Site 85 and the Bombing of North Vietnam
Timothy N. CASTLE
Manufacturer: Columbia University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OPA9ZW

Battle for Empire: The Very First World War, 1756-63
Average customer rating:
Battle for Empire: The Very First World War, 1756-63
Tom Pocock
Manufacturer: CAXTON EDITIONS
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000OJK0AW

Average customer rating:

Lightweight, sometimes sloppy, but worth reading

"A Conquest Too Dearly Obtained"

An eminently readable history of the Seven Years War

British Global Strategy and Rapid Deployment 1756-63

Battle for Empire: The Very First World War, 1756-63
Tom Pocock , and Pocock
Manufacturer: Michael O'Mara Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Strategy | Military | History | Subjects | Books
General | World | History | Subjects | Books
General | England | Europe | History | Subjects | Books
Imperialism & Independence | Political Science | Social Sciences | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 1854793322

Book Description

A distinguished naval historian draws on a wealth of new material and eye-witness accounts in this vivid chronicle of the Seven Year War, the first true global conflict.

Customer Reviews:

Lightweight, sometimes sloppy, but worth reading.......2007-04-28

Pocock's book is a rather episodic narrative of the main events of the Seven Years' War outside Europe. That war is worth studying, because it shaped the world for a long time to come. In Europe, the Prussians served notice of an intention that they, not the Austrians, should one day be the leaders of united Germany; overseas Britain began the process of 'painting the map red' that (despite occasional setbacks like the loss of the Revolting Colonies) continued until the early 20th century and has left enduring landmarks (the modern states of India and Canada, for starters). It marks the emergence of Britain as the naval superpower, a position it maintained until the 1920s. As another reviewer has said, Pocock's big weakness is that he ignores the European side of the war. Even though the British were able to conduct an overseas strategy with minimum reference to what was going on in Germany, the same wasn't true for the French, and Britain's success undoubtedly owed much to the indefatigable Frederick the Great of Prussia tying down so many French troops.

When assessing the quality of (allegedly) factual books, I'm always discouraged to find errors on matters that I'm able to check personally; even if minor, they throw doubt on all the stuff I don't know and wish to be informed about. Unfortunately Tom Pocock commits such an error (unforced at that) on his very first page, when he makes Captain Augustus Hervey the son and heir of the second Earl of Bristol. Hervey's father never succeeded to the title, Hervey himself was a younger son (the second Earl was his elder brother) with no certain expectations of inheritance, and heirs to major titles (unless near-bankrupt like the Cochrane Earls of Dundonald) didn't go into the armed forces. The real crime is not this somewhat peripheral error, but the fact that Pocock claims (in his bibliography) to have read two works - NAM Rodger's 'The Wooden World' and David Erskine's edition of Hervey's 'Journal' - that between them very clearly state both the principles involved and the details of the Hervey family. When an author ignores his own cited sources on simple matters of fact, the reader must be wary. Maybe Pocock's start as a journalist has something to do with it.

Nevertheless, this is a book worth reading, if only because of the detail it gives for events that are often confined to a brief mention or a footnote in more general histories. Pocock starts with the loss of Minorca and the consequent execution of Admiral George Byng (which is where Byng's service follower Hervey gets into the picture), and follows it with the campaigns in Bengal and the Indian Ocean (where Pocock's ancestor Admiral Pocock fought a long attritional struggle against the French commander d'Ache), North America (where the Ticonderoga fiasco is described in all its horror, and the taking of Quebec is shown to be much more touch-and-go than given in imperial hagiography), Cuba (where Admiral Pocock and Augustus Hervey - now also an Admiral - surface again) and finally the most far-flung and improbable of them all, the capture of Manila. He gives many fascinating details (especially for the taking of Havana) that were new to me; the descent on the windward coast of Cuba via the intricate Old Bahama Channel is a justly celebrated feat of military navigation, but the hardships and fearful losses from disease during the siege are less familiar.

"A Conquest Too Dearly Obtained".......2001-08-15

So wrote a British sailor, lamenting the Britons' huge losses at the Siege of Havana. Despite the cost, the British Armada took Cuba from the Spanish and proceeded to conquer the Phillippines too. By war's end, however, the Spanish weren't hit too hard, trading back these gems for relatively worthless properties such as Florida. The French, by contrast, lost not only Quebec but also trading bases in India - both for good. There are few events in history with as profound an effect on the modern map than the Seven Years' War, and Pocock (a descendant of one of its great sea admirals) makes a marvellous yarn out of it. There are some wonderful quotes, too, e.g. that of a young, sarcastic Royal American officer lambasting a stupid superior who missed a strategic opportunity...

An eminently readable history of the Seven Years War.......2000-06-03

Tom Pocock, whose biographies of Nelson are also very much worth your time, has written a wonderful short history of the Seven Years War, which he is correct in referring to as the first truly world war, and as the war that set Britain on its road to empire. Pocock has a real talent for vividly depicting people in a chapter or two, including the unfortunate Admiral Byng (shot to "encourage the others" as Voltaire wryly observed), Wolfe, and Clive. Very, very much worth reading; the Seven Years War (which has been consistently reduced to the status of a minor squabble in American history books under the misnomer of the "French and Indian War") has been almost forgotten but its effect on the history of the late 18th and the 19th centuries cannot be overestimated.

British Global Strategy and Rapid Deployment 1756-63.......1999-08-24

Tom Pocock correctly identifies the Seven Years War (1756-63) as "The First World War" and gives a very readable account of how Britain waged it outside Continental Europe. The focus is however purely on this aspect and, as such, the campaigns on the European Continent, including the spectacular role played by Prussia, are excluded. The sheer geographic scale and the vaunting ambition of British policies are however well conveyed as well as the brilliant strategies underlying the first war to be fought with truly global objectives. As well as the better-known campaigns such as "The French-Indian War" in North America, Clives's amazing conquests in India and Byng's disastrous manoeuvres off Minorca (that led to his execution by firing squad "to encourage the others"), there are fascinating accounts of less familiar undertakings such as the operations of the author's own kinsman in the Indian Ocean and the captures of Manila and Havana by British expeditionary forces. The Havana operation, which finally succeeded at a horrendous cost in deaths from disease as well as military action, is an epic that would merit a book in its own right. Though satisfying as far as it goes, once feels that the author missed an opportunity in "Battle for Empire" in not expanding the scope to cover the whole war, on all fronts. There is a gap in the market for a readable single-volume narrative history of the war, ideally written with the easy style, lively depiction of personalities and colourful anecdotes which Mr.Pocock provides in this one.

Book Description

Immerse your students in the history and literature of early 20th-century America. Using the power of their own communications corporation, students develop and communicate their ideas about the drama of the early 20th century. Your students will experience the excitement of the century's history and literature. This unit provides students with the opportunity to verbally and visually express their opinions and ideas about the early 20th century through art, writing, and drama. To demonstrate what they have learned, they will produce exciting and creative projects.

The Simulation Series is made up of six exciting simulations designed to teach content while also helping students develop problem-solving skills. Each edition includes a teacher's guide, a student handbook, and blackline masters that can be copied for classroom participation. Other topics include: Earth Friendly, Endangered Species, Introduction Pack, Medieval Destinations, and Western Explorations.

Grades 7-12

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