Darwin Retried: an Appeal to Reason

Book Description

Fair, detailed, carefully reasoned critique of Darwinian theory.

Customer Reviews:

A Fair Assessment.......2007-07-01

It is many years since I read Darwin Retried, but I remember it as a thoughtful and careful book. MacBeth isn't trying to score big points, he is simply evaluating the Neo-Darwinian theories and pointing out some weak spots.

The main critique I've seen of the book (in other places) is that the author has no alternative explanation for the evolution of life. This is an odd attitude. You can't say that someone is wrong unless you have another explanation for the phenomena at hand? Why ever not?

I'd recommend the book because it is not strident, it is not part of any religious or political movement and it discusses some interesting problems with the "synthesis." On the other hand...it is pretty old...so some of the material is way out of date.

justice.......2003-06-08

I haven't read this book. I was reading the reviews to decide whether or not I should read it and saw that the previous reviewer decided to review it twice (giving it a single star twice) and decided in the interest of fairness to nullify that by adding a 5 star. I decided to check out this book because it was referenced by Jacques Barzun in his Dawn to Decadence history. And any book that generates the hostility witnessed in the previous review must be pretty good.

One of the worst putatively academic books ever written.......2001-09-28

"Darwin Retried" amounts to little more than Mr. Macbeth's committing the fallacy of taking a failure of imagination as an insight into necessity time and time and time ... again. One's belief that something is impossible does not make that thing impossible. Mr. MacBeth does not make a serious effort to understand the neoDarwinian position or is of such limited intellectual ability he simply cannot understand it.

The author is a Harvard trained lawyer. (This book is definitely not a ringing endorsement of HLS.) However, he does not apparently understand the difference between making an argument qua lawyer and making one qua academic. In court, one can appeal to the authority of an expert or experts in order to advance one's point. Such is the pragmatic nature of court precedings. In academia appealing to authority is unacceptable. One must say why those authorities to whom one's appealing are right; reasons must be provided, since X's saying 'Y is true' is independent of the truth of Y.

I find that someone decided to publish this book very troublesome. Mr. MacBeth's gossamers of arguments, clumsily expressed half-truths, misunderstandings, and muddleheadedness do not lead us to doubt the pith of neo-Darwinists' claims anymore than a lunatic's eschatological ramblings lead us to prepare for an apocalypse.

I'm sorry that this was ever published, and if you read this, you will be too. All theories should be carefully assessed and challenge. However any assessment and challenge simply won't do. Mr. Macbeth's work is one that simply won't do.

A lawyer's verdict: Darwinism guilty of many logical errors.......2000-06-30

I first read this book in 1980, and was quite impressed with its critique of Darwinism as a logical construct. Macbeth took up the study of Darwinist argumentation as a avocation. He does not appeal to any religious authority to contradict Darwinism, nor does he reject the idea of evolution in toto. Rather, he finds the evidence and arguments for Darwinism to be deeply flawed. Questions are begged, evidence is fudged, and extrapolations are unwarranted.

The first edition of this book (1971) came well over a decade before Michael Denton's pivotal critique, Evolution: A Theory in Crisis (1986), and well before the theistic Intelligent Design Movement, spearheaded by Phillip E. Johson's book, Darwin on Trial (1991; revised edition, 1993). (Johnson is also a laywer, and a professor of law at UC-Berkeley.) MacBeth has also published a small booklet of interviews on the topic called, Darwinism: A Time for Funerals (1985). This is a thoughtful and fair critique well worth reading. Let me end with a quote from the author: "Any profession [he has biology in mind] that does not supply its own criticism and iconoclasm will discover that someone else will do the job, and usually in a way it does not like."

Douglas Groothuis, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Philosophy Denver Seminary

Customer Reviews:

A good introduction for kids.......1998-08-22

With it's flashy, very well taken photos, and simple text, this book is ideal for younger growers of carnivorous plants just becoming interested. It does not provide a lot of cultural information, but the pictures are fabulous!

SUNDEW STRANGLERS: PLANTS THAT EAT INSECTS.

Average customer rating:

A good introduction for kids

SUNDEW STRANGLERS: PLANTS THAT EAT INSECTS.
Joseph: Wexler
Manufacturer: Dutton Children's Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000LXZYQ6

Customer Reviews:

A good introduction for kids.......1998-08-22

Customer Reviews:

This book is great. Inspiring, vivid, diverse and gusty........1999-08-28

This is a book for all ages. Simply great reading for those with an adventuresome spirit and those who want to be adventurous. Many of the writers are well known such as Maxine Kumin, but for me, the discovery of the new writers made this book intriguing and more interesting. Kudos to Gould.

Book Description

Three-dimensional x-ray diffraction (3DXRD) microscopy is a novel experimental method for structural characterisation of polycrystalline materials. The position, morphology, phase, strain and crystallographic orientation of hundreds of grains or sub-grain embedded within mm-cm thick specimens can be determined simultaneously. Furthermore, the dynamics of the individual structural elements can be monitored during typical processes such as deformation or annealing.

The book gives a comprehensive account of the methodology followed by a summary of selected applications. The method is presented from a mathematical/crystallographic point-of-view but with sufficient hands-on details to enable the reader to plan his or her own experiments. The scope of applications includes work in materials science and engineering, geophysics, geology, chemistry and pharmaceutical science.

Book Description

Environmental analysis is not only a necessity for industry and authorities, it is also a growing market for independent analytical laboratories. Today's laboratory assistants must be able to function as analytical chemists, as well as managers and lawyers. This informative and practical book is tailor-made to meet their growing needs.

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Computer Recognition Systems: Proceedings of 4th International Conference on Computer Recognition Systems CORES'05 (Advances in Soft Computing)

Manufacturer: Springer
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: 3540250549

Book Description

This book presents the results of the 4 ^th International Conference on Computer Recognition Sstems CORES’05 held May 22-25, 2005 in Rydzyna Castle, Poland. It brings together original research results in both methodological issues and different application areas of pattern recognition. The contributions cover all topics in pattern recognition including:

-Classification and interpretation of text, video, voice
-Statistical, soft and structural methods of pattern recognition
-Image processing, analysis and interpretation
-Machine learning
-Data and Web mining
-Knowledge-based decision support systems
-Advanced signal processing methods or
-Special hardware architecture.

Book Description

Some classicists still deal with the ancient world as if archaeological evidence is of little relevance to their work. This can mean that territories or subjects for which there is little textual evidence can be marginalised or not studied at all. Similarly, many historical archaeologists, dissatisfied with their ancillary role, assert that material evidence for the ancient world can and should be studied independently.
Though efforts are being made--in some quarters at least--to erode these disciplinary boundaries, in others they have become increasingly fossilized, and rifts within subjects are leading to ever more isolated sub disciplines. While representatives of each different specialism may believe they have found the path to historical truth, the real truth is that the straitjackets of disciplinary boundaries--whether generations old or fashionably novel--are stifling innovation, creativity, and the possibility of illuminating the past with all the knowledge at our disposal.
This collection of pieces from international contributors explores the separation of the study of the human past into history and archaeology, challenging its validity and asking how we can move to a holistic approach. While the focus is on the ancient world, particularly Greece and Rome, the lessons that emerge are significant for the study of any place and time.

Book Description

Magia, tensión sexual, comedia e intenso drama se mueven dentro de ésta encantadora pero a la vez dura autobiografía; es la historia de una niña que deja a su pueblo en Puerto Rico por la atracción de Nueva York, y una oportunidad para el éxito. "Clara, calladamente poderosa y muy lírica: una historia de verdadera valentía." - Kirkus Reviews

Customer Reviews:

Excelente relato biografico sobre la vida puertorriquena.......2006-09-28

En este excelente libro Esmeralda Santiago nos introduce a sus recuerdos de la infancia en Puerto Rico como se desarrolla hasta su adultes. Utilizando su especial manera de escribir Santiago relata la dura vida que sufrieron miles de puertoriquenos a mediados de siglo, y los eventuales cambios y transformaciones sociales que le precedieron a este periodo. Cualquiera que lea este libro podra imaginarse a Negui y su familia en sus que haceres y ocurrencias. Puerto Rican or not you can read this book. It's excellent. A must read.

THE AMERICAN DREAM..........2006-07-17

This is the Spanish text edition of "When I was Puerto Rican", a rich and evocative memoir of the author's chaotic childhood. Growing up in rural Puerto Rico, while often living in primitive conditions, the author's lush and lyrical prose paints a vivid picture her early life. The flavor and rythms of her island home come alive under her expert hand, creating an unforgettable picture of her early childhood.

The author grew up in a poor family. During her childhood, she lived in Puerto Rico with her unmarried parents, who were always at war with each other, as her father was a somewhat irresponsible philanderer. It was her mother who centered the family and who always sought a better life for all of her children. When an irrevocable break occurred between her parents, her mother moved to New York during the nineteen sixties, eventually settling with her seven children in the mean streets of Williamsburg, Brooklyn in New York City.

The author details her life's journey from rural Puerto Rico to Brooklyn. The author was transplanted to Brooklyn at the age of thirteen, and her description of her life in Brooklyn is every bit as interesting as that of her life in Puerto Rico. Her oftentimes bewildering transition from her native, Spanish speaking Puerto Rico to an English speaking environment is engagingly chronicled. The author takes the reader on her journey through Brooklyn's public school system to the prestigious High School of Performing Arts, where she graduated and went on to attend Harvard University on a scholarship.

This coming of age memoir is so engagingly written that I was left with the desire of wanting to know more about the life of this remarkable woman. I was also very taken with her writing style. So, I went ahead and bought every book that this author has ever written and look forward to reading each and every one.

Homesick Chica.......2005-11-04

I bought this book at a fair. There was a "Spanish Only" book stand and I started a conversation with the lady about how homesick I was and she said this is what I needed to read. I'm a younger generation, but I loved it because my Grandmother was not from the city so I read a lof of things that reminded me of her. But there were even some expressions and cultural aspects that have obviously remained the same. The book was extremely interesting and I cried and laughed (and I tend to read in public so I got a couple of weird looks). It really hits home and gives a very accurate view of life in "el campo" in Puerto Rico during the times of depression, but does it in a way that still allows you to notice the beauty of our culture, our people. I am reading the sequel right now and already ordered the last of the three. She's an amazing narrator. Enjoy!

[...]

un libro entretenido.......2003-10-16

este libro esta escrito en una sinplesa que cualquiera lo puede leer lo que esta muy bien, me gusto mucho este libro lo compre en espanol y lo lei en una semana, me parecio un libro muy entretenido y lo recomiendo

A reveling stream of E.S.'s thoughts, arnieworld@hotmail.com.......2003-06-20

I give 5 stars, not because I was necessarily challenged in weighty intellectual "profundities" (as one of the critics above states), but simply because the quality of story-telling (at least in the Spanish version) is insurpassable. I was able to see right into the heart of Esmeralda's thinking. She was almost always eloquent beyond her years; at first I thought that this wasn't accurate for a girl of her age; but in retrospect, I think that the author knew this beforehand and realizes that her character is indeed representative of the many children or tíneyers who are absolutely brilliant but are perceived to be not so bright because of a spoken language. I would like to find out if this was a subtility that she wanted to communicate.
With that said, my favorite aspect of Esmeralda's eloquent subtilities is her honest, authentic anger towards haughty and egotistical people. I believe that E. Santiago was intending also to disfrazel the machista haughtiness that existed in Po'rico. I wanted to reach into the story and punch her Papi in the face. What a pig! I grieves me to think that such a man really existed! Another thing, the move to New York, wonderfully contrasted with Macún - and the innocence of perceiving the jews, italians and blacks throught the eyes of a sweet girl with no prejudices - a brilliant girl indeed! How was she able to dislodge herself from all of the enticements of having prejudices so quickly formed? The best part of the entire novel - a definite tear-jerker - is the rapid dénouement punched at me (the first sentence of the epilogue). I didn't expect it; it had sort of a Great Expectations twist there at the end; if there were ever a movie based on this story, I think that that would be the brilliant finish of the story. The human spirit inside of each of us hopes and believes: "Un día de estos, un día de estos." We all relate so well with Esmeralda that I strongly suggest that this book be included in ethnic-american/hispanoamerican classes and reading circles. This is a must. It's already been successful at Pittsburg State University (KS) with Greg Brown and Dr. Edmée Fernández; try it.

Cuando era Puertorriquena/When I was puertorican

Average customer rating:

Beauty Frames Life in all its Bits and Pieces...
THE AMERICAN DREAM...

Cuando era Puertorriquena/When I was puertorican
Esmeralda Santiago
Manufacturer: Recorded Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio Cassette

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

Memoirs | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books

Spanish | Foreign Language Nonfiction | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

General | Biografías y memorias | Libros en español | Formats | Books

Memorias | Biografías y memorias | Libros en español | Formats | Books

Customer Reviews:

Beauty Frames Life in all its Bits and Pieces..........2007-01-02

Esmeralda Santiago is one of Puerto Rico's natural treasures and one of America's favorite authors.

I'd describe this book as The American Dream, a Coming of Age story and being multi-cultural all in one, but its much more than that! What do I mean? Well, Ms. Santiago's skillful writing and ingenious use of words weave a story that beautifully frames a life from all sides: the 'ugly' is that her family lives in the most dire of circumstances both in Puerto Rico & New York, the 'bad' is that her father is a philander, the 'good' being that she comes from love and is loved. A good foundation to stand on.

Ms. Santiago is able to convey to us exactly how a young girl feels when her father is a philander (cheated and betrayed) and how she feels when her parents are getting along (happy and safe) and how fragile it all seems even through a child's eyes. Her mother's aspirations to live well and to see the beauty which frames all of life's bits and pieces no matter how dire circumstances may seem is the backbone of this story and (I believe) at the heart of Ms. Santiago's storytelling. I received both this book and 'The Turkish Lover' as Christmas gifts and I can tell just by these two books that I will add many more to my collection, the first addition being 'Almost a Woman' which is the next book after this one. Most definitely.

THE AMERICAN DREAM..........2006-01-29

This is a rich and evocative memoir of the author's chaotic childhood. Growing up in rural Puerto Rico, while often living in primitive conditions, the author's lush and lyrical prose paints a vivid picture her early life. The flavor and rythms of her island home come alive under her expert hand, creating an unforgettable picture of her early childhood.

The author grew up in a poor family. During her childhood, she lived in Puerto Rico with her unmarried parents, who were always at war with each other, as her father was a somewhat irresponsible philanderer. It was her mother who centered the family and who always sought a better life for all of her children. When an irrevocable break occurred between her parents, her mother moved to New York during the nineteen sixties, eventually settling with her seven children in the mean streets of Williamsburg, Brooklyn in New York City.

The author details her life's journey from rural Puerto Rico to Brooklyn. The author was transplanted to Brooklyn at the age of thirteen, and her description of her life in Brooklyn is every bit as interesting as that of her life in Puerto Rico. Her oftentimes bewildering transition from her native, Spanish speaking Puerto Rico to an English speaking environment is engagingly chronicled. The author takes the reader on her journey through Brooklyn's public school system to the prestigious High School of Performing Arts, where she graduated and went on to attend Harvard University on a scholarship.

This coming of age memoir is so engagingly written that I was left with the desire of wanting to know more about the life of this remarkable woman. I was also very taken with her writing style. So, I went ahead and bought every book that this author has ever written and look forward to reading each and every one.

Average customer rating:

Cuando Era Puertorriquena: When I Was Puerto Rican
E. Santiago
Manufacturer: Tandem Library
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Library Binding
ASIN: 1417642262

Book Description

This title examines some of the most colourful and fanciful uniforms in military history, those of Napoleon's Guard Cavalry. The detailed text covers units such as the Grenadiers à Cheval; the Empress's Dragoons; the Chasseurs à Cheval; the Mamelukes; the Gardes d'Honneur; the Polish Lancers; the Dutch Lancers; the German Lancers and the Lithuanian Tartars. A plethora of illustrations complement the text, including eight fine full page colour plates by inimitable Angus McBride, providing admirably detailed reconstructions of uniforms and accompanied by ten pages of commentaries.

Customer Reviews:

magnificence.......2001-08-09

I have to tell you the true the format of the Osprey Books is not my favorite but I can Not lie about the Uniforms Plates, they are one of the best may be not the most accurate but they are truly beatiful and great,the work of Angus McBride is one of the best modern Illustrator. May be the content is not new for the Napoleonic Historian but if you are beigining to study more about this Elite Guard this is the one to start. Mr Emir Bukhari gave us a small intro to each Force Grenadiers a Cheval,Chasseurs a Cheval,the famous Polish Lancer the 1Rg and The Second(Red Lancers)Dragoons,Gardes D'Honneur and the Mameluks in 8 plates We can review each Force with the help of 40 b/w Photos taken from the Bucquoy Serie "Les uniformes du Premier Empire" if you like this book I recommend the other titles; 55.Napoleon's Dragoons and Lancers, 64.Napoleon's Cuirassiers and Carabiniers, 68.Napoleon's Line Chasseurs, 76.Napoleon's Hussars, All by the same author and Illustrator, but if you really want a feast for the eyes look for The NAPOLEON'S ELITE CAVALRY: Cavalry of the Imperial Guard, 1804-1815 by the celebrated artist Lucien Rousselot

Napoleon's Elite Cavalry - Cavalry of the Imperial Guard, 1804-1815

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Napoleon's Elite Cavalry - Cavalry of the Imperial Guard, 1804-1815
Edward Ryan
Manufacturer: Greenhill Books & Presidio Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000IXTS1Q

Napoleon's Imperial Guard Dragoons (Cavalry of the Napoleonic Wars series, 28)

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Napoleon's Imperial Guard Dragoons (Cavalry of the Napoleonic Wars series, 28)

Manufacturer: Del Prado/Osprey
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Pamphlet

General | Military | History | Subjects | Books

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NAPOLEON'S ELITE CAVALRY CAVALRY OF THE IMPERIAL GUARD,1804-1815

Manufacturer: GREENHILL BOOKS
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Leather Bound
ASIN: B000GYR68Y

Book Description

STREETWISE(r) HAWAII
Revised yearly, STREETWISE(r) is the best-selling map of HAWAII, with coverage of the Big Island, Oahu, Maui, Molokai, and Kauai. Localities covered are Kilauea Caldera, Waita Reservoir, and Molokai Forest Reserve. Points of interest such as museums, parks, and popular sites are highlighted and fully indexed. Detailed downtown street map of Honolulu and Waikiki is clearly displayed on a map inset. Laminated for durability, accordion folded to fit in your pocket or purse, STREETWISE(r) gives you HAWAII in a clear, concise, and convenient format.

Customer Reviews:

Decent Map.......2007-01-05

This was a decent map. In general, it's handy to have small, hand held laminated maps when you're driving. That said, there were other, more detailed maps in Hawaii that I liked more. I get a map to see how to get myself off of small, obscure roads, so if those roads are not on the map, then the map isn't much help, which was the case with this map. But, if you're planning on staying ON the beaten path, this map will do.

ANALOG - Science Fiction Science Fact - Volume 112, number 8 and 9 - July 1992: Because It's There; The Walking Hills; Mark on the World; The Doctor's Wife; Everybody's Hamlet; Not Enough to go Around; The Demon Under Hawaii; Bushido; Streetwise; Rock Gig

Average customer rating:

ANALOG - Science Fiction Science Fact - Volume 112, number 8 and 9 - July 1992: Because It's There; The Walking Hills; Mark on the World; The Doctor's Wife; Everybody's Hamlet; Not Enough to go Around; The Demon Under Hawaii; Bushido; Streetwise; Rock Gig
Stanley (editor) (Rick Shelley; Lee Goodloe; William E. Cochrane; Dean McLaughlin; Maya Kaathryn Bohnhoff; Brian C. Coad; Grey Rollins; Geoffrey A. Landis; Ben Bova; Bill Johnson; Kathy Tyers; Kent Patterson; Frank Catalono) Schmidt
Manufacturer: Davis Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000JLHGH0

Book Description

'A new phrase has entered the language.' Anita Roddick, founder of the Body Shop

'Creative and compelling.' Guardian

'Essential reading.' Head of the International Panel on Climate Change

If the whole world wanted to live like people in the United States we would need the resources of five planets like Earth. Simms shows how millions of us in the West are running up huge ecological debts: from the amount of oil and coal that we burn to heat our houses and run our cars, to what we consume and the waste that we create, the impact of our lifestyles is felt worldwide. Whilst these debts go unpaid, millions more living in poverty in the majority world suffer the burden of paying dubious foreign financial debts. The book explores a great paradox of our age: how the global wealth gap was built on ecological debts, which the world's poorest are now having to pay for. Highlighting how and why this has happened, he also shows what can be done differently in the future - and what steps we can take to stop pushing the planet to the point of environmental bankruptcy.

Customer Reviews:

Excellent work on ecological economics.......2006-01-15

It is more than three decades since Schumacher and Daly wrote the seminal works of ecological economics. While there have been numerous contributions to the field since then, the ideas have remained outside the mainstream. The rising spectre of climate change might be enough to change that though. The threat that climate change poses is the basis for Simms' argument for a new way of thinking about economics. Simms argues his case clearly without using jargon.

This book is a very accessible read for anyone interested in the problems of climate change and some possible solutions.

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