The Amazon: Past, Present, and Future

Customer Reviews:

A sweeping historical vista.......2000-09-30

This book is an excellent introduction to the Amazon's tortured past and offers some insight into the region's prospects. What really sets it apart are the illustrations, many from early manuscripts. Reproduced woodcuts and watercolors give the reader a genuine feel for how the conquistadors and early explorers perceived the Amazon's people and wildlife. The book progresses logically, from initial forays looking for El Dorado and cinnamon forests to the explorer-scientists, in a sweeping historical vista. Gheerbrant's account of the rubber boom is especially poignant, and the reader becomes utterly outraged at the shamelessly inhumane treatment of local tribes by greedy industrialists. The book's reproduced photographs from this era drive home the untrammeled brutality of the rubber barons in their urge to acquire riches at any cost to the indigenous people. The author's observations of the Amazon's current status (the "Present") seem somewhat outdated, as the area is changing fast and there is not much on conservation efforts or scientific research (although other books cater). The "Documents" section added as a sort of appendix offer some interesting facts, but seem collected together on a rather ad-hoc basis. However, the chronology and bibliography are commendable. Generally well-written, in places the text seems a bit convoluted and may frustrate readers used to a snappier style. Perhaps something happened in the translation. In summary, I recommend this book for its illustrations, and overall historical perspective.

Book Description

A guide to bicycling New Hampshire's most scenic backroads and byways, for road, mountain, and hybrid bikes.

New Hampshire is blessed with diverse terrain that will appeal to all levels of cyclists. Challenging routes cut through the rugged Presidential Range while others explore the gentle Lakes Region area. Rural farms and historic villages line the roads of the Monadnock region and the Connecticut River. Beautiful seacoast rides can be found in the Portsmouth area.

Andi Marie Cantele offers the reader the best of these rides from around the state, complete with mile-by-mile directions and clear, easy-to-follow maps. While other biking books have focused on off-road biking in the White Mountains or road touring in southern New Hampshire, no other book successfully puts it all together in a single cycling guide to the Granite State. 30 black & white photos, 25 maps.

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"Benji never really wanted to be my boyfriend, just my best friend, but I loved him from the first time I saw him and I didn't know how to stop." And now that Benji is dead, the victim of a senseless car accident, 18-year-old Bridget still can't stop loving him. She defers her first year of college, takes a dull waitressing job at an all-night diner, and sinks into her own special brand of misery, nicknamed The Hole (where "time does not exist" and "bathing is usually optional"). Her therapist, friends, and family all try to console her, but Bridget's depression is unrelenting. Then Jasper comes into her life. Jasper, who brings her sunflowers and notices important things like cool shoes, just might be Bridget's ticket out of The Hole. Yet, something still doesn't feel right. Slowly, Bridget realizes that the one person she never really tried to understand was Bridget: "I've molded myself ... into the kind of person Benji might be persuaded to love because I was too scared to figure out who I really was." It's time for Bridget to become friends with herself, by herself--without Jasper, and maybe, finally, without Benji.

[Lara M. Zeises' Bringing Up the Bones was an honor book for] the Delacorte Press Prize for a First Young Adult Novel for this lovingly crafted ode to the restorative power of the grieving process. Teen devotees of other literary four-hankie reads like A Time for Dancing by Davida Wills Hurwin, and Girlhearts by Norma Fox Mazer will also enjoy crying over Bridget's loss in Bringing Up the Bones. (Ages 14 and older) --Jennifer Hubert

Book Description

Bridget Edelstein is taking a year off before she goes to college, to try to recover from the the recent death of Benji, her longtime best friend-turned-reluctant boyfriend. Rather than accept support from her friends or family, Bridget turns to Jasper, a wonderful guy willing to nurse her broken soul–when she lets him. As she comes to terms with life without Benji, and the truth about their relationship, Bridget learns that being able to love deeply and truly is essential, even if the one you love doesn’t feel the same. More importantly, she discovers that happiness pinned to another person is only an illusion–now it’s time to find happiness on her own.

From the Hardcover edition.

Customer Reviews:

Amazing.......2004-10-10

I absolutely loved this book, from the first page to the last. When I bought this book, I was expectingfor it to be a heart-wrenching story of loss, only to read it and discover it to be more about the empowerment of finding yourself. I would reccomend this book to anyone who is questioning who they are, as well as anyone who has lost a loved one.

interesting.......2004-06-29

i liked this book from the very begining.
this story is about 18 year old bridget edelson who is taking a year off before college to try and recover from the death of her ex-boyfriend benji.rather than accepting the family and friends she turns to jasper. and even though she meets him at a party and has sex with him that night doesnt mean he isnt a wonderful guy willing to nurse her soul. and when she gets over benjis deathshe learns that to love another with all your being even if the other person doesnt love you as much still doesnt mean you havnt loved.
overall i loved this book and i recomend it to all teens.

Excellent 'recovery' story.......2003-02-07

Bridget Edelstein has just lost a lifelong friend - Benji - to a fatal car accident. For the previous 9 months they had been boyfriend / girlfriend, if reluctantly on Benji's behalf. A few days before he died, Benji wrote a 'Dear Jane' letter. It was all over. And now Benji has gone and died, so that is all it will ever be. Over.

Zeises tells a story of grief, rage and getting on with life after a great loss very well. Her characters, including the lead character, are completely human, warts and all, acting and reacting from an emotional base. Bridget's confusion, anger, grief and love are expressed very well, as indeed are her perceptions of the motivations of others, as they touch her own life. There is a great deal of room for the reader to bring their own experiences into their perception of the situation between Bridget and Benji, Bridget and new boyfriend Jasper, Bridget and Benji's family and where they are in the process of overcoming such a loss. Again, the reader can bring in their own psychological analysis of other characters motivations if you can remove Bridget's perceptions from them, viewed as they are through her eyes.

Serious issues are dealt with in this book, and realistically. Bridget is by no means perfect, and neither are any other characters - perhaps with the exception of Jasper! I liked this as a truly human story, and one that should touch the hearts of every reader, even as you might want shout at Bridget at some of the thoughts she has and decisions she takes.

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BRINGING UP THE BONES
Lara M. Zeiss
Manufacturer: Delacorte Press 2002, First Edition
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000TA8MFG

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Bringing Up the Bones
Lara M. Zeises
Manufacturer: Laurel Leaf
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback
ASIN: B000OERYYM

Book Description

Presenting all preclinical and clinical information available on genetically engineered toxins, this unique, single-source reference provides the most up-to-date methods and practical examples for conducting clinical studies in toxin molecular biology.;Reviewing difficult problems and their solutions, Genetically Engineered Toxins discusses techniques for clo;ning, expressing, and purifying recombinant toxins and genetically modified recombinant toxins; documents structure-function relationships in toxins, including comparative information; supplies theory and illustrations of chimeric toxins; delineates the preclinical assessments of new reagents; and summarizes approaches to drug design.;With over 1100 literature citations, Genetically Engineered Toxins is an invaluable resource for biochemists, molecular biologists, biotechnologists, pharmacologists, toxicologists, X-ray crystallographers, enzymologists, oncologists, hematologists, immunologists, rheumatologists, botanists, and graduate-level students in molecular biology, biotechnology, and clinical oncology courses.

Book Description

Modern Electronic Structure Theory provides a didactically oriented description of the latest computational techniques in electronic structure theory and their impact in several areas of chemistry. The book is aimed at first year graduate students or college seniors considering graduate study in computational chemistry, or researchers who wish to acquire a wider knowledge of this field.

Quantum Semiconductor Structures: Fundamentals and Applications

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A very good book by C. Weisbuch

Quantum Semiconductor Structures: Fundamentals and Applications
Claude Weisbuch , and Borge Vinter
Manufacturer: Academic Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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The Physics of Low-dimensional Semiconductors: An Introduction

ASIN: 0127426809

Book Description

In its original form, this widely acclaimed primer on the fundamentals of quantized semiconductor structures was published as an introductory chapter in Raymond Dingle's edited volume (24) of Semiconductors and Semimetals. Having already been praised by reviewers for its excellent coverage, this material is now available in an updated and expanded "student edition." This work promises to become a standard reference in the field. It covers the basics of electronic states as well as the fundamentals of optical interactions and quantum transport in two-dimensional quantized systems. This revised student edition also includes entirely new sections discussing applications and one-dimensional and zero-dimensional systems.

Key Features
* Available for the first time in a new, expanded version
* Provides a concise introduction to the fundamentals and fascinating applications of quantized semiconductor structures

Customer Reviews:

A very good book by C. Weisbuch.......2000-12-14

This is a very good book for peoples who'd like to learn the basics of fundamental and applications of low dimensional semiconductors.

Going Digital: Strategies for Access, Preservation, and Conversion of Collections to a Digital Format

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Going Digital: Strategies for Access, Preservation, and Conversion of Collections to a Digital Format

Manufacturer: Haworth Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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The Social Life of Information

ASIN: 0789005212

Applications of Electronic Structure Theory

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Applications of Electronic Structure Theory

Manufacturer: Springer
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Computational Quantum Mechanics for Materials Engineers: The EMTO Method and Applications (Engineering Materials and Processes)

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Computational Quantum Mechanics for Materials Engineers: The EMTO Method and Applications (Engineering Materials and Processes)
Levente Vitos
Manufacturer: Springer
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 1846289505

Book Description

Traditionally, new materials have been developed by empirically correlating their chemical composition, and the manufacturing processes used to form them, with their properties. Until recently, metallurgists have not used quantum theory for practical purposes. However, the development of modern density functional methods means that today, computational quantum mechanics can help engineers to identify and develop novel materials.

Computational Quantum Mechanics for Materials Engineers describes new approaches to the modelling of disordered alloys that combine the most efficient quantum-level theories of random alloys with the most sophisticated numerical techniques to establish a theoretical insight into the electronic structure of complex materials such as stainless steels, Hume-Rothery alloys and silicates. The practical success of these approaches to applications in all of these areas are covered in detail. The new EMTO-CPA method is detailed, including its application in alloys to model structural stability and elastic properties of random alloys of arbitrary composition and the effect of alloying elements on elastic stiffnesses stacking fault energies and structural parameters. The EMTO-CPA method makes new approaches to computational alloy design feasible. Computational Quantum Mechanics for Materials Engineers shows how the technique will soon allow materials engineers to become "quantum blacksmiths".

Computational Quantum Mechanics for Materials Engineers will interest researchers and postgraduate students in materials science and engineering, solid-state physics and applied quantum mechanics.

Discrete Mathematical Structures With Applications to Computer Science (McGraw-Hill computer science series)

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The best Professional guide

Discrete Mathematical Structures With Applications to Computer Science (McGraw-Hill computer science series)
Jean-Paul Tremblay
Manufacturer: Mcgraw-Hill (Tx)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Mathematics | Science | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0070651426

Customer Reviews:

The best Professional guide.......2003-11-01

Although this book is nearly 30 years old it is still used in madras university as a text for master degree in computer science I have used a lot of books including popular local author and the famous book such as Kenneth Rosen, joshi venkatraman, ect but this seems to be the best and u can read any advance text on discrete math's if u have completed this successfully this one seems to be a launch pad to read many modern text books the material on logic seems terrific. The only thing the authors have left out seems to be is in area of tuning machine and automata theory. And languages and grammar some programs given in the book is based on pl/I which can be easily adjusted the greatest thing in this book is the exercises which are very professional and shows the authors ability for teaching . overall as iam from electronics back ground this book gave me enough stuff to move into computer science

Electromagnetic Fields in Multilayered Structures: Theory and Applications (Artech House Antenna Library)

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Electromagnetic Fields in Multilayered Structures: Theory and Applications (Artech House Antenna Library)
Arun K. Bhattacharyya
Manufacturer: Artech House Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0890066515

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Electronic Databases and Publishing

Manufacturer: Transaction Publishers
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Binding: Paperback

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The Electronic Structure of Molecules Theory and Application to Inorganic Molecules

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The Electronic Structure of Molecules Theory and Application to Inorganic Molecules

Manufacturer: Pergamon Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000H5CBWI

The electronic structure of molecules: theory and application to inorganic molecules, (The International encyclopedia of physical chemistry and chemical ... 4.: Electronic structure of molecules, v. 3)

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The electronic structure of molecules: theory and application to inorganic molecules, (The International encyclopedia of physical chemistry and chemical ... 4.: Electronic structure of molecules, v. 3)
Graham Doggett
Manufacturer: Pergamon Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

Book Description

14 contributions present mathematical models for different imaging techniques in medicine and nondestructive testing. The underlying mathematical models are presented in a way that also newcomers in the field have a chance to understand the relation between the special applications and the mathematics needed for successfully treating these problems. The reader gets an insight into a modern field of scientific computing with applications formerly not presented in such form, leading from the basics to actual research activities.

Book Description

4 chilling tales by great Victorian master. Famous title story concerns an English cleric’s bouts with a malignant spectral illusion. Also included are Squire Toby’s Will, The Fortunes of Sir Robert Ardagh and Sir Dominick’s Bargain. LeFanu brought high craftsmanship, literary skill and psychological penetration to his stories, qualities which elevate them above most work in the genre. This is an excellent introduction to his oeuvre. New introductory Note.

Customer Reviews:

Free SF Reader.......2007-09-03

A pretty good sampling of LeFanu's tales, including Carmilla. 1. "Foreword" by August Derleth 2. "Schalken, the Painter" 3. "Squire Toby's Will" 4. "Green Tea" 5. "Wicked Captain Walshawe, of Wauling" 6. "Carmilla" 7. "The Sexton's Adventure" 8. "Madame Crowl's Ghost" 9. "Sir Dominick's Bargain" 10. "The Vision of Tom Chuff" 11. "Ultor De Lacy" 12. "Dickon the Devil" 13. "The House in Aungier Street" 14. "Mr. Justice Hardbottle" 15. "The Familiar"

Tales from a macabre master.......2006-07-03

These are Victorian tales of horror that would please any horror afficionado. In each of these tales, we hear these tales of woe from skeptic third party who relates the stories with a sense of separation from the events, but with seemingly disinterested air that makes the story more eerie.

Included in this selection are Green Tea, Squire Toby's Will, The Fortunes of Sir Robert Ardagh, and Sir Dominick's Bargain. These are not exclusive to this volume, so many horror readers will be familiar with the story, but given the price of this Dover Thrift Edition, I would recommend picking it up.

I would recommend reading this one when the night is chill and the sky is dark. You should definitely share these tales with others.

Stories with Caffeine.......2005-10-31

This slim text is often (if not always) out of print at Dover, so purchase copies while they're available (especially if you need to order them in bulk for a course). There are, however, several hypertext versions of most of Le Fanu's stories available online, including _Green Tea_. As far as hard copies go, this is definitely your best bet. As the title suggests, the compilation's focal point is _Green Tea_. _Green Tea_ is one of the best yet seemingly least critically studied ghost stories of all time. It folds Victorian anxieties into one contradictory, enigmatic, and, for some, irritating, brew. Why is the kind, unassuming Rev. Jennings haunted by the spectral monkey? Is Darwin on his back? Metaphysical medicine? Schizophrenia? Was Le Fanu making a point about the mystery of suicide? Hard to tell, which is part of the point, I suppose.

LeFanu - Greatest Writer of Victorian Ghost Stories.......2003-11-30

Among the remarkable literary creations of the Victorian period are stories of ghosts and other supernatural phenomena. The tales of J. Sheridan LeFanu are highly regarded as among the best early examples of psychological horror stories. LeFanu was born in Dublin in 1814 and died there in in 1873.

LeFanu's style is indeed Victorian. The writing is more leisurely. Careful attention is paid to establishing the mood and atmosphere. Descriptions are more detailed. The sense of supernatural horror builds slowly, much like the tales of Poe.

The four entertaining ghost stories in this inexpensive Dover Thrift edition are a good introduction to the J. Sheridan LeFanu and include Green Tea, Squire Toby's Will, The Fortunes of Sir Robert Ardagh, and Sir Dominick's Bargain. In the Victorian style LeFanu presents his stories as actual facts, narratives found in old diaries, medical writings, or first hand accounts from family friends or loyal servants. His stories remain popular today, due largely to their psychological depth and subtlety.

In Green Tea Dr. Hesselius encounters a cleric suffering from periodic bouts of delusion, believing that he is being stalked by a malignant apparition.

Squire Toby and his two sons, Scroope Marston, the elder, and Charles Marston, his handsome brother, are all three despicable characters whose mutual hatred for each other apparently transcends the grave.

The Fortunes of Sir Robert Ardagh is told as two stories. The first is the legend and local lore of the peasants living near the secluded fortress Ardagh. The other is an eye witness, factual account, possibly even more chilling than the local legend.

Sir Dominick's Bargain is disturbing version of a man's pact with the devil.

Note: Is it LeFanu or Le Fanu? Both variations seemed to be equally common. This Dover edition uses the form J. Sheridan LeFanu. The Merriam Webster's Encyclopedia of Literature prefers Le Fanu with a space. Many computer search algorithms yield quite different results for these two nearly identical spellings.

Psychiatrists, get your teacup ready!.......2001-02-26

LeFanu is by many considered the foremost of Victorian ghost story tellers, but (and I may now be incurring in literary sin) although his writing skills are undisputedly of the finest caliber, I did not find his stories as poignant and spine-tingling as Edgar Allen Poe's or his style as graceful and fluent as E. F. Benson's, for example; in fact, I'd say there is something a little bit too elaborate and artful about some of the passages in this book as if LeFanu had thought it worthwhile sacrificing the pleasure of reading to the exquisiteness of his occasionally almost labored literary expression. There are actually instances in which I find it difficult to picture the scenes and characters in the narrative - take the descriptions of the inside and outside of Gylingden Hall (story 2) or of Sir Ardagh's castle (story 4) - though I recognize that such impressions may of course be unjust and ensue not from the text but from the limitations of the reviewer himself.

The first and last of the four stories collected in this Dover edition are definitely the most exciting and convey a feeling of completeness which is rather absent from the second and third tales. A very striking feature of the story "Green Tea", for instance, is the razor-sharp precision with which LeFanu distinguishes between subjective and objective psychic realities, and between suggestion and predisposition. The reverend in the tale has suffered damage to the subtle involucre protecting his physical body against unwanted sensory impressions and the leaking out of vital force, and so has become permanently exposed not to hallucinations but to involuntary contacts with entities or energies pertaining to the lower psychic realms, the intimacy of which most of us are mercifully spared. The problem seems to be mendable by physically occluding the fissures produced in his natural defense and thus restoring his involucre to normality, but the reverend himself sees these deeply disquieting trials as a personal chastisement from God - an interpretation of the facts which is always a valid possibility - and eventually succumbs, not to the charges of the enemy but to his own weaknesses and inclinations. A complex and fine plot, indeed.

The story "Green Tea" should be carefully examined by all whose job it is to treat or otherwise help people who suffer from psychic disorders or claim to be haunted by hallucinations - and by those, of course, who love to spend a couple of hours by the fireplace with a mug of hot chocolate and a good yarn.

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GREEN TEA & OTHER GHOST STORIES
J. Sheridan Le Fanu
Manufacturer: Dover Publications, Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000P0XR2I

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