Seeing Yellowstone in 1871: Earliest Descriptions and Images from the Field

Book Description

In 1871 the young mineralogist Albert Peale set out with the vaunted Hayden Expedition to map and explore the Yellowstone Basin. Ferdinand Hayden asked Peale, his former student, to write a series of letters to the Philadelphia Press about the survey’s work. Just as these letters, the first impressions of Yellowstone sent back from the field, introduced nineteenth-century readers to some of the most breathtaking wonders of the American West, they allow readers today to rediscover one of the nation’s most beloved and visited natural areas as it was just five months before it became the world’s first national park.

Written by a scientist for the general reader, Peale’s letters convey the grandeur of Yellowstone with great clarity and immediacy, even as they offer apt, detailed descriptions of the basin’s geologic features, from the geysers—Giant, Grotto, and Mud, among others—to the creeks and rivers, craters and springs. Illustrating these descriptions are the earliest artistic images of Yellowstone, also done during the expedition—watercolor field sketches by Thomas Moran, photographs by William Henry Jackson, and the now little-known works of the party’s official artist, Henry Wood Elliott. Ranging from dramatic panoramic landscapes to lighthearted sketches of the expedition’s more personal moments, these images combine with Peale’s written impressions to give readers a true and rare sense of what it was like for these men to marvel at Yellowstone for the first time.

Customer Reviews:

Yellowstone Alive.......2007-07-17

Congrats to Marlene Merrill for allowing us to see Yellowstone in 1871, as the title puts it. In addition to wonderful photographs and other images, Merrill writes with clarity and power about America's most popular national park. This is a terrific book for any reader, but is especially appropriate for anyone who plans to visit the Park, or has just returned from a visit. Highly recommended.

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History in Action: Std 5 (In Action)
F. Graves , D. Davel , and et al
Manufacturer: Juta Gariep
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

General | History & Historical Fiction | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0702117056

Book Description

The new edition adds a chapter on multiple linear regression in biomedical research, with sections including the multiple linear regressions model and least squares; the ANOVA table, parameter estimates, and confidence intervals; partial f-tests; polynomial regression; and analysis of covariance.
* Organized by problem rather than method, so it guides readers to the correct technique for solving the problem at hand.

Customer Reviews:

nice reference for biostatisticians & medical professionals.......2002-07-19

This is the second edition of a highly acclaimed text. Like the first edition this book gives an excellent overview of statistical problems in the medical field and provides illustrations of a variety of parametric and nonparametric statistical techniques for solving these problems. It is aimed at the intermediate level rather than as an introductory course. So medical professionals, with a first course in biostatistics under their belt, will find this useful. It is also a good text for graduate students in statistics or biostatistics. Examples are illustrated throughout the text using SAS software. This is a key addition to this edition of the book. Also added in this edition is a chapter on multiple regression where various model selection procedures are nicely covered.

A nice feature of the book is its coverage of epidemiologic methods and data. This was also a strength of the first edition.

I was a little disappointed that the authors did not take the opportunity to significantly update the bibliography. Only a few references are given in the latter chapters to books and articles that appeared after the publication of the first edition in 1987. Also, the authors missed an opportunity to discuss the advances in computing that have led to new methods including Markov Chain Monte Carlo and resampling, both of which have found many applciations in medical research. Bioinformatics and advances in genetics are also playing a major role in medical research, having blossomed since the publication of the first edition of the book. Although I would not expect these topics to necessarily get much coverage, I think they are important enough to at least be mentioned and discussed and have key articles and books referenced.

This is an excellent text for a second course in biostatistics for health care professionals. For a first course the book I am writing with Bob Friis will be useful and it is up to date and even provides some coverage of resampling methods. It will be published by Wiley in early 2003.

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Statistical Methods for the Analysis of Biomedical Data, 2nd Edition
Robert F. Woolson
Manufacturer: NY
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000MUGOXU

Book Description

'Lighting Engineering: Applied Calculations' describes the mathematical background to the calculation techniques used in lighting engineering and links them to the applications with which they are used. The fundamentals of flux and illuminance, colour, measurement and optical design are covered in detail. There are detailed discussions of specific applications, including interior lighting, road lighting, tunnel lighting, floodlighting and emergency lighting. The authors have used their years of experience to provide guidance for common mistakes and useful techniques including worked examples and case studies.

The last decade has seen the universal application of personal computers to lighting engineering on a day-to-day basis. Many calculations that were previously impracticable are therefore now easily accessible to any engineer or designer who has access to an appropriate computer program. However, a grasp of the underlying calculation principles is still necessary in order to utilise these technologies to the full.

Written by two of the leading authorities on this subject, 'Lighting Engineering' is essential reading for practising lighting engineers, designers and architects, and students in the field of lighting.

* Provides you with detailed calculations and shows you how to apply them in practical situations
* Benefit from the author teams' acknowledged expertise in the field
* Learn to utilise new technologies to the full

Customer Reviews:

Don't panic!.......2007-05-25

I had seen this book in a store and only had a brief time to skim through, but that was enough to convince me to buy the book! The content is excellent; if a little intimidating at first. Scratch a little deeper and you find a comprehensive reference document that gets down and dirty with its subject.
Have to admit I'm still dipping in and out of the book at the moment; but if you want to have a deeper understanding of fundamental concepts in lighting calculations this is your book.

Book Description

Gary Pak has emerged as one of the most important Asian Hawaiian writers of our time. In this new collection, Pak expertly crafts a memorable cast of Hawai'i's Korean Americans, Chinese Americans, Japanese Americans, and Native Hawaiians, amplifying our cross-cultural understanding of Hawaiian life today.

The nine short stories in Language of the Geckos and Other Stories paint an array of locals caught up in failed dreams of financial success and romantic fulfillment. Many of these stories deal with issues particular to Native Hawaiian perspectives, while others take slice-of-life glimpses at characters alienated in the land of their birth. Pak's sure narrative voice shifts deftly between his actors, shading the nuanced voices and interior lives of housewives, mechanics, cabdrivers, aging hippies, and desperate bargirls. Most of these characters speak in the lingua franca of the islands, a highly developed Creole that is commonly called Pidgin English. Also strongly present is the spiritual ambiance of the land.

The worlds of Pak's Hawaiians, Asian locals, and the haoles sometimes intersect and collide and other times remain parallel, but each world is haunted by the past. Whether Pak evokes shadows of World War II, the Vietnam War, the radical sixties, or the military dictatorship of Chun Doo Hwan in Korea, the larger historical context looms ominously in the background as wounded memories of characters in despair.

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Genius Turned Madman

Gossip

Definitely worth reading

A startling glimpse inside

The king (?) of Las Vegas

Citizen Hughes : The Power, the Money and the Madness
Michael Drosnin
Manufacturer: Broadway
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
Business | Professionals & Academics | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
Rich & Famous | Leaders & Notable People | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
Hughes, Howard | ( H ) | People, A-Z | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Howard Hughes: The Untold Story

Howard Hughes: His Life and Madness

The Asylum of Howard Hughes

Howard Hughes - The Man and The Madness

Hughes: The Private Diaries, Memos and Letters

ASIN: 0767919343
Release Date: 2004-11-02

Book Description

Portrayed by Leonardo DiCaprio in the Martin Scorsese movie The Aviator, Howard Hughes is legendary as a playboy and pilot—but he is notorious for what he became: the ultimate mystery man. Citizen Hughes is the New York Times bestselling exposé of Hughes’s hidden life, and a stunning revelation of his “megalomaniac empire in the emperor’s own words” (Newsweek).

At the height of his wealth, power, and invisibility, the world’s richest and most secretive man kept what amounted to a diary. The billionaire commanded his empire by correspondence, scrawling thousands of handwritten memos to unseen henchmen. It was the only time Howard Hughes risked writing down his orders, plans, thoughts, fears, and desires. Hughes claimed the papers were so sensitive—“the very most confidential, almost sacred information as to my innermost activities”—that not even his most trusted aides or executives were allowed to keep the messages he sent them. But in the early-morning hours of June 5, 1974, unknown burglars staged a daring break-in at Hughes’s supposedly impregnable headquarters and escaped with all the confidential files. Despite a top-secret FBI investigation and a million-dollar CIA buyback bid, none of the stolen secret papers were ever found—until investigative reporter Michael Drosnin cracked the case.
In Citizen Hughes, Drosnin reveals the true story of the great Hughes heist—and of the real Howard Hughes. Based on nearly ten thousand never-before-published documents, more than three thousand in Hughes’s own handwriting, Citizen Hughes is far more than a biography, or even an unwilling autobiography. It is a startling record of the secret history of our times.

Customer Reviews:

Genius Turned Madman.......2007-06-14

In his blacked-out Desert Inn Las Vegas suite, with only Mormon aides under the strictest of rules. Eating only canned goods after the most precise label removed sterilization routines. And the continuous viewing of the movie "Ice Station Zebra" morning, noon and night. This is the unshaved, rarely bathed Howard Hughes in his finals years. Las Vegas because of its heat; heat representing in his mind cleanliness and purity. My how the mighty have fallen! Should be a sequel to the film "The Aviator".

Gossip.......2007-05-30

Howard Hughes is a tragic figure.

This book exploits the desire of gossip-mongers to "get the inside scoop" on the private life of the celebrity Hughes.

Nevertheless, I found the book highly credible and a great source of research information for more than just Hughes.

Definitely worth reading.......2007-01-13

The movie was exceptionally good. As always the book is better. It really gives you a lot of insight into his life.

A startling glimpse inside.......2006-08-29

A startling glimpse inside the life of a disturbed Howard Hughs.
The book does not outline a pretty picture of Hughs in his latter years. The corruption,the paranoia,the insanity,is quite compelling. The author however,does tend to repeat several things over and again in the book. Still, I found it a great read and a disturbing look into the life of Howard Hughs during his final years.

The king (?) of Las Vegas.......2005-05-27

Shut away in a hotel room in Las Vegas, with the windows blacked out, and a TV and six aides as his only connection to the outside world, Howard Hughes rules the world, if only in his mind.

During the late 1960's and early 1970's, Hughes, who hasn't been seen in public in almost ten years, lives the life of a total recluse, in a "germ free" prison he has built for himself. Naked, only bathing maybe once or twice a year, with hair down to his backside, beard down to his navel, eating maybe once a day at the most, and storing his urine in Mason jars, Hughes writes out memos to his Mormon aides detailing to them, among other things, how to "sterilize" canned fruit to be served to him, despite the fact that his hotel room hasn't been cleaned in years. He also schemes about his plans to make Vegas in his image, including ways to allow people from all over the world to phone in to bookies to place bets and win big.

Howard Hughes, in his final years, lived only for self. He considered himself the perfect man, a megalomaniac who shoots up with enough drugs to kill a horse, and writes out his orders on legal pads instead of picking up a phone or showing up at board meetings in person.

"The Dating Game"

For example, as Hughes is poised to buy the American Broadcasting Company (ABC), the deal dies in less than thirty minutes, due to his racist tendencies (out of fear, not hatred). He tunes in to "The Dating Game", to see a black man have to choose a date between what Hughes thought was two black women and one "white" woman. The man chooses the "white" woman, who in fact is not white but is actually a very light skinned black woman. But it doesn't matter to Hughes: out of his bizarre fear, the deal is off.

In conclusion...
A wacky story of a genius who became so afraid of the world that he "tried" to control it through his TV and his henchmen.

Book Description

This is a vivid insight into the most feared army of the Second World War. The Japanese Imperial Army grew from 1.5 million men in 1939 to 5.5 million men by the end of the war. Their highly successful campaigns in the Far East and the Pacific at the beginning of the Second World War were every bit as spectacular as those of the Germans in Europe, and they earned an enviable reputation as expert jungle fighters which it took some years for the Allies to match. Their code of honor also made them extremely cruel enemies to prisoners and civilians alike, while their Kamikaze suicidal tendencies meant they would automatically fight to the last without any thought of surrender. Fully illustrated with rare archive photographs, this is a comprehensive study of the army. The author describes how they mobilized and trained their soldiers, and looks at their organizational structures, from high command down to divisional level and below. Also included are uniforms, equipment, all kinds of weapons ranging from tanks and artillery, technical equipment, tactics, symbology and vehicle markings.

Customer Reviews:

Forty's Japanese Army Handbook.......2002-05-01

Quite well done...better than A. J. Barker's work on the same subject. Takes dry info from wartime TM's, writes and illustrates it in an interesting, well flowing manner. Very good section on tactics. Information on weapons could have been better organized, but includes some things that I have not seen in any other source. If you are a WWII nut, you need this book.

Gave it as a gift............2002-03-23

I got this for my dad since he does a lot of research on WW2 for people. From what he has told me in using it, and from my own flipping of hte pages, it seems this book was not put together really well, and in fact contradicts itself on occassion. I would imagine the publisher would be to blame for those types of things.

Where did he get his facts?.......1999-08-03

I am a translator/writer for Japanese publishers and have been researching and studying the Japanese Forces in WW2 here in Japan for over 20 years. When I saw the book in a bookstore I naturally bought it but after reading only a few pages I immediately regretted the purchase. Here is why: In the introduction there is a photo with a caption that reads: The grave of a Japanese officer... The Japanese characters identify the soldier buried there as a Superior Private. On page 69 the author writes that the Japanese Army had no tank divisions where in fact they had 4. the 2nd tank division fought in the Philippines in 1945 and was wiped out there. There were also at least 7 tank brigades in the homeland waiting for the US invasion, a fact which is also not mentioned. There are several more mistakes which would make a person familiar with the topic cringe so the question is why authors and publishers do not make a more in-depth research.

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Japanese Army Handbook by A.J. Barker

Japanese Army handbook, 1939-1945
A. J Barker
Manufacturer: Hippocrene Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

Military Science | History | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 0882544845

Customer Reviews:

Japanese Army Handbook by A.J. Barker.......2002-04-01

Very good coverage of organization (TO&E), and weapons. Not as good in tactics. Should be on the bookshelf of every serious student of WWII.

Book Description

What makes for a "good" legislature? In Heavy Lifting, Alan Rosenthal traveled to five states, interviewing and shadowing legislators to find out the answer. Through this engaging narrative, the author first establishes the most important aspects of American state legislatures--what they are and how they do their jobs--and then graduates to the book's central thesis: Rosenthal argues that, on the whole, the American legislature must be evaluated on the basis of its processes, not its products. He breaks down the legislative process into three principal functions: representing, lawmaking, and balancing the executive, and covers each in turn in the remainder of the book.

Customer Reviews:

Key work on state legislatures.......2007-03-18

Alan Rosenthal is one of our best experts in state legislatures. His works on the subject are insightful and provide much detail and wisdom. "Heavy Lifting" merely confirms his reputation in this regard.

The book tackles the standard subjects that one would expect to be addressed in a text on state legislatures. The work begins with a description of what legislators do in the American states, followed by a rich discussion of representation in its various manifestations. This includes subjects such as: the relationship of elected legislators with their districts; how they reconcile their views on policy issues with those of their constituents (Should they bend to the views of their constituents or exercise their own judgment?).

The work considers legislators' efforts at lawmaking. What are the challenges facing them as a result of the various processes evident in the different states? How do they address the conflicting demands of interest groups, parties, committees, the "other" house? How does one put together a majority coalition? How does one "manage" majorities?

There is also discussion of how legislatures must interact with governors. The text goes over the "dance" between these two branches of government at the state level.

Finally, there is discussion of leadership in the legislature and commentary on what a "good legislature" is like.

All in all, this is a fine book by one of our leading experts on state legislative politics. For those wishing to learn more about the subject, they could do a lot worse than examining this book.

Excellent Book on State Legislatures.......2005-01-29

Alan Rosenthal, perhaps the foremost academic authority on state legislatures has published another insightful look into state legislatures. In this latest study, "Heavy Lifting", we learn that most of the public has a good idea how legislatures operate, and they don't like what they see.

The legislature system is designed to look bad in the public eye. Legislators may do a good job fighting for their constituencies, and thus garner the support of the people of their district, yet the interests behind these constituents conflicts with interests represented by other legislators. The meshing of these interests lead to struggles, defeats, and compromises that fail to fully please the interests at hand. From the standpoint of constituents that are viewing an outcome that failed to meet their expectation, the legislative process is a failure. From the standpoint of analyzing how legislative systems should operate, the process may be basically the best possible operation.

The expectations the public has of legislatures has changed, according to Alan Rosenthal. Constituency groups decades ago perhaps understood the reality of compromise better than advocates today realize. The media, which observes that conflict is more interesting than everyday good news, seems more apt to cover the battles of ideas within legislatures. The increasing expense and negativity of political campaigns exacerbates the legislatures' declining perceptions.

The constituent demands upon legislatures appear to be increasing while the available amount of time does not increase. Even gaining support of a majority of both houses of a legislature is not always enough, as the Governor then plays a critical role. Governors present various leadership styles and abilities to cooperate with legislatures, who themselves can be supportive or detrimental towards resolving conflicts between the branches of government.

A good legislator, according to Alan Rosenthal, is one who successfully represents his district's constituents, is skillful at the lawmaking process, and is able to properly balance the legislative role with the role of the Governor. The author surveyed Ohio legislators and found that 62% of Senators and 56% of Representatives surveyed stated that believed more attention to their representational duties would make them better legislators and that 38% of Senators and 44% of Representatives stated more attention to their lawmaking responsibilities would make them better legislators.

Legislators are busy, including legislators from states where the legislature is considered part time. The author surveyed legislators in five states and discovered that 46% of legislators responding stated they spent 60 or more hours per week at their legislative jobs while 29% states they spent from 50 to 59 hours. The number of hours spent working was higher for legislators who served longer, which reflects the additional duties often given to veteran legislators.

The author believes most legislators do successfully represent their districts. They identify with the people of their districts and their needs. Advocating their concerns before both the legislature and administrative agencies is seen a key purpose of their legislative duties. This provides many legislators with the sense of fulfillment they seek from being legislators.

19,000 people from all states were surveyed. It was found that, over the past two decades, 7% stated they had contacted their state representative and 5% stated they had contacted their state senate. While much of such contact was part of an organized effort to contact legislators, it does show that a sizable number of people have personally invested time in reaching out to their representatives. This contact becomes muddled, as there seldom is a clear and consistent message to legislators uniting his or her constituency. Further, the author concludes that most people do not follow closely follow legislative issues and matters.

The growing nationwide organization of many interest groups along with the increased ability to exchange information is making advocacy to legislatures across the nation more active. Political party identification is a strong cohesive force for most legislators, and party identity and party caucuses are strong factors in determining how legislators respond to legislation. At times, attempting to gain a partisan advantage is a critical part of legislative decision making strategies. This can create difficulties, as legislators may find themselves conflicted between their caucus and their constituencies should their goals differ. The author presents this conflict as perhaps a legislator's greatest challenge.

While it is difficult to identify exactly what it is that makes a legislator a good representative, the author notes there should be a positive connection between a legislator and the views of his or her constituency, an ability to deliberate legislation, and an ability to provide leadership, although this requires experience and resources as well as the proper leadership skills.

This is an excellent book for students of state legislatures in particular and of governmental decision making in general.

Heavy Lifting: the Job of the American Legislature.(Book Review): An article from: State Legislatures

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Heavy Lifting: the Job of the American Legislature.(Book Review): An article from: State Legislatures
John A. Straayer
Manufacturer: National Conference of State Legislatures
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital

Book Description

This digital document is an article from State Legislatures, published by National Conference of State Legislatures on July 1, 2004. The length of the article is 450 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Heavy Lifting: the Job of the American Legislature.(Book Review)
Author: John A. Straayer
Publication: State Legislatures (Magazine/Journal)
Date: July 1, 2004
Publisher: National Conference of State Legislatures
Volume: 30 Issue: 7 Page: 4(1)

Article Type: Book Review

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Heavy Lifting: the Job of the American Legislature.(reading room): An article from: State News

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Heavy Lifting: the Job of the American Legislature.(reading room): An article from: State News
Tim Anderson
Manufacturer: Council of State Governments
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital

Book Description

This digital document is an article from State News, published by Council of State Governments on August 1, 2004. The length of the article is 813 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Heavy Lifting: the Job of the American Legislature.(reading room)
Author: Tim Anderson
Publication: State News (Magazine/Journal)
Date: August 1, 2004
Publisher: Council of State Governments
Volume: 47 Issue: 7 Page: 13(1)

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Heavy Lifting: The Job of the American Legislature.: An article from: Spectrum: the Journal of State Government

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Heavy Lifting: The Job of the American Legislature.: An article from: Spectrum: the Journal of State Government
Keon S. Chi
Manufacturer: Council of State Governments
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital

General | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

General | Politics | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

Book Description

This digital document is an article from Spectrum: the Journal of State Government, published by Council of State Governments on January 1, 2005. The length of the article is 876 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Heavy Lifting: The Job of the American Legislature.
Author: Keon S. Chi
Publication: Spectrum: the Journal of State Government (Refereed)
Date: January 1, 2005
Publisher: Council of State Governments
Volume: 78 Issue: 1 Page: 39(1)

Distributed by Thomson Gale

Book Description

Rocky Mountain National Park is the sixth most visited park in the United States. Established in 1915, this gem of the central Rockies is facing increasingly complex environmental pressures, both from within and beyond the park's boundaries. In Rocky Times in Rocky Mountain National Park, ecologist and former park consultant Karl Hess examines these problems and presents a stirring and powerful argument for drastic changes in how the park should be managed.

Drawing from his years of biological research within and adjacent to the park and from files and reports of the park's own biologists, Hess addresses a wide range of issues, including the impacts to the park's ecosystem from a growing elk heard; the consequences of generations of fire suppression, and the effects of increasing numbers of park visitors and development surrounding the park.

Hess argues that the National Park Service has faltered in its mission of preservation. His book is a call for sweeping changes to make park managers more accountable to the park's ecological health and to end what he calls "predatory politics" within the National Park Service.

Rocky Times in Rocky Mountain National Park is a compelling yet disquieting account of the condition of one of America's premier parks. It will undoubtedly spark debate among scientists, park managers, policymakers, environmentalists, and others concerned about the future of Rocky Mountain National Park and the nation's entire park system.

Customer Reviews:

A classic critique of national park management.......2007-09-20

In this book, former National Park Service (NPS) scientist Karl Hess argues that the NPS has damaged the environment of Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) by failing to deal with an overabundance of elk. Without natural predators such as wolves, these elk have eaten all the available forage, such as young willows and aspen. These trees have been unable to remain in their former range, where they have been replaced by stands of ponderosa pines (among other trees). Their loss also affects habitat for beavers, ptarmigans, black bears, and many other animals. The harm to beavers is particularly damaging, leading to the destruction of the park's meadows and wetlands.

It's quite an indictment, and Hess makes it forcefully. He explains the ecological consequences of having too many elk in accessible terms.

He's much weaker on what to do about the elk. He doesn't explicitly advocate shooting the elk, though that solution certainly comes to mind (and once was used). Hess recommends handing the park over to a conservation trust whose incentives would differ from those of the NPS. It's easy to pick that apart, and he hasn't thought it through in sufficient detail.

Despite the weak policy recommendations, this is rightfully a classic book among critics of the NPS and its management. Tourism and local economic development take precedence over the natural resources in the park.

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