Life in the Pinball Machine: Careening from There to Here

Book Description

In Life in the Pinball Machine, one of the most influential people in training and performance improvement shares the experiences that shaped his ideas about human performance and behavior. With his characteristic humor and unique perspective, Robert F. Mager shares his revelations about how people work, how people learn, and the world in general.

Follow along as Mager reveals the experiences that led to the CRI methodology, more than ten books, and a mind-boggling and unusual array of talents and hobbies. Whether becoming a ventriloquist, riding a unicycle, or playing the banjo, Mager embraces the experience and challenges of learning and wakes up the student in us all. Life in the Pinball Machine is the story behind the story of the books, workshops, and ideas. It is the humorous and surprising account of a life spent learning.

Customer Reviews:

The best explanation of our field from one of the Master's.......2003-07-06

For years I have looked for a credible book that traced the lineage of human and organizational performance improvement. All others had biases and lapses. This book written by one of the Masters who helped define and develop this field has written the best account of our lineage I have ever seen. It is beautifully written--clear, concise, accurate, and human--and meets (no, exceeds) my expectations.

It is a must for any student (senior or starting) in our field.

Essential reading.......2003-05-08

Although I selected Dr. Mager from all of the experts in the early 1960's to work with a major management consulting firm to introduce programmed instruction into European countries, and have stayed in touch since then, I learned more about him and his genius as I turned each page of this book. It is essential reading for everyone in the fields of education, training and management.

Book Description

An oral history on the life of Harry 'the Hat' Walker, the colorful baseball player who won a batting title and managed three major league teams.

Customer Reviews:

Good examination of an exemplary career.......2000-07-25

I first encountered the "Close-up" series while visiting London last year. I snatched up every title I could find. These short examinations of filmaker's lives are just the right length and breadth. For those who already are familiar with the director you'll find new insight, and for those uninformed, a detailed look at each film, and the harrowing journey to make it, is enlightening. With Coppola, his journey spans many decades and is thoroughly fascinating. You'll find the struggles and tribulations he faced, along with some quirky personality traits best left to the reader. Overall, a good read.

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The book is exactly what it states of itself

244 PAGES OF SIMPSONS

The Book that Ralph Wiggum Would Write

COMIC BOOK GUY SAYS...

mixed feelings...due mostly to my love of the show

The Simpsons And Society: An Analysis Of Our Favorite Family And Its Influence In Contemporary Society
Steven Keslowitz
Manufacturer: Hats Off Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Popular Culture | Social Sciences | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
General | Sociology | Social Sciences | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
General | Television | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
History & Criticism | Television | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
Simpsons | Shows | Television | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
1990's through 2004 | Shows | Television | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Planet Simpson: How A Cartoon Masterpiece Defined a Generation

The Gospel According to the Simpsons, Bigger and Possibly Even Better! Edition: With a New Afterword Exploring South Park, Family Guy, and Other Animated TV Shows

The Simpsons and Philosophy: The D'oh! of Homer (Popular Culture and Philosophy)

Leaving Springfield: The Simpsons and the Possibility of Oppositional Culture (Contemporary Film and Television Series)

World According to The Simpsons

ASIN: 1587362538

Book Description

Hailed as "...an intelligent (and entertaining) read for Simpsons fans of all ages" by Writing! Magazine, The Simpsons and Society explores the world of Springfield as it relates to contemporary American society. The book, which is required reading for classes at several universities, including Tufts University and Carnegie Mellon University, analyzes The Simpsons television series in ways never before addressed in other Simpsons books. The Simpsons and Society provides englightening and informative discussions of the central themes of the show, and explains why The Simpsons is of tremendous importance: Why was Homer Simpson recently ranked the "greatest American of all time" in a BBC poll? Is Bart Simpson truly America's "bad boy"? In what ways does Homer represent the industrialized employee? How does The Simpsons mock celebrity culture? What is the cultural significance of Marge Simpson's hair? What would Immanuel Kant say about Homer's approach to parenting? Why is The Simpsons more than "just a cartoon"? Also included are essays pertaining to medical malpractice (Dr. Nick), media culture, American Exceptionalism, how The Simpsons matches up against other TV sitcoms, Simpsonian politics, Descartes' Evil Genius argument, Simpsonian education, and more. Each essay relates some aspect of American culture to Simpsonian life.

As the Associated Press recently noted: "The Simpsons and Society takes on the big topics with a tone that's alternately serious and slapstick... Keslowitz fixes a serious eye on America's favorite dysfunctional cartoon crew, looking for deeper meaning in the antics of Krusty the Clown, Chief Wiggum, and the rest of the twisted townfolk. He actually finds some, too."

Full of quotes, jokes, insight, analysis, and a special quiz that is intended to help you find your "inner Homer", this book is for every Simpsons fan! As Homer would say ... mmm ... bookalicious.

Customer Reviews:

The book is exactly what it states of itself.......2005-12-25

I don't know what some of the people expected from the author when right from the start he said he didn't want to go too much into philosophical discussion. He presented some concepts, didn't go too much indepth, put some jokes/quotes in. Keslowitz said at the start he did not plan for the book to be a serious reading - but some still took it that way. I enjoyed the book, if you want something enjoyable to read with philosophical concepts (not disected as they might be in a classroom or discussion group) then this book is for you.

Also - I bought this book from a publisher, it seems it was self-published but not anymore.

244 PAGES OF SIMPSONS.......2004-12-08

I recently purchased the "new, expanded edition" of The Simpsons and Society after reading about it at The Simpsons Archive, and visiting the author's website (www.simpsonsandsociety.com). Keslowitz's analysis of "The Simpsons and Celebrity Culture" was especially enjoyable. I had read the chapter on celebrity culture in Turner's Planet Simpson book, and while Turner's chapter was enjoyable, it was quite lengthy and did not focus on the key episodes that Keslowitz outlines in "The Simpsons and Society". Keslowitz's analysis of "When You Dish Upon a Star" brilliantly outlines the problems associated with the current celebrity culture haunting American society. That's just one chapter. Other chapters include discourses on education in Springfield, Gun Control ("The Cartridge Family", "Bowling for Columbine", character analyses, some academic essays, and a Homer quiz. Furthermore, the quotes made me laugh. Any book that discusses what Neil Postman would say about Homer's television watching is worth reading. If you're a Simpsons fan, this is a great book to add to your collection.
I especially enjoyed the conclusion of the book, where the author discusses the closeness of the Simpson family and argues that the show presents family-oriented values. A book to be had.

The Book that Ralph Wiggum Would Write.......2004-11-04

I totally agree with all the One Star reviews listed here: this book blows chunks, to put it nicely. I've read books I disagree with, books where I felt the writer was dumb, books that are just plain boring, etc., but this truly is the first book I've read that shouldn't have been published. You see, key to understanding this book is this: *it's not a book*. It's a collection of things Keslowitz thinks are mild amusing.

So, a book on South Park by the same writer might sound something like this: "In many episodes, Kenny is killed. [insert twenty quotes of characters saying "You killed Kenny"] This makes us wonder about death. But it's funny. Funniness is good, and people like it. So Kenny dying is good, perhaps. [insert another eight quotes from characters about things that are good]"

In short, it's about as smart as Ralph Wiggum. However, while Ralphie is amusing, this book isn't. PLEASE save your money and don't buy it. Ask an eight year old about why they like the show, and you'll get about the same level of analysis and thought (not to mention writing ability).

COMIC BOOK GUY SAYS..........2004-09-08

"The Wurst Simpsen's Book Eeverr!"

This is a SELF-PUBLISHED BOOK. In other words, the author paid to have the book published by a company that would publish a how-to on FREEZE DRYING CRICKETS if you gave them $800. This most likely accounts for the terrible content.

Seriously, It's hard to explain just how terribly reasearched, written, and slapped together this text really is. Don't let the 5 * reviews fool you (the author is a college kid with friends who obviously have a lot of free time on their hands).

Speaking of comic books, this text is about as heavy as one. It contains a mere 140 pages of, what looks to be, 26 point font.

SAVE YOUR MONEY!!!

mixed feelings...due mostly to my love of the show.......2004-06-26

The only reason that I gave this book any stars at all is because I love "The Simpsons" and enjoy remembering scenes as I read about them. The concept of the book is also a worthy puruit-generally speaking. Otherwise, I think this book should never have been published. As an aspiring writer myself-as well as a writing tutor-I am VERY distracted by the constant grammatical errors throughout the book. It is VERY repetitive, badly organized (disorganized), oversimplified, and that's only to name a few issues. The potential inherent in this subject is infinite; reading this book makes me want to tackle something similar, but to do so with greater attention to detail, stronger evidence to support my theories, and the time to delve deeper into the concepts involved. To me, this book reads like a first draft of a thesis, one that needs major revision, a lot more evidence, less varying theories, more depth in those that do have the most merit, and months-maybe years-to make it better and suitable for publishing.

Average customer rating:
Five Shall Be One (Advanced Dungeons & Dragons/2nd Edition : Greyhawk Adventures, WGS1 Adventure, No. 9317)
Carl Sargent
Manufacturer: TSR
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Puzzles & Games | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 1560760702

Book Description

How often have you wished you had access to the team behind your favorite software--in this case, Adobe Illustrator--so that you could really pick their brains about all of its coolest features? With this book, you do. In these pages, the Adobe Creative Team gives you a guided tour of the graphics powerhouse, Adobe Illustrator CS2. Best of all, it does so at your pace. Whether your beautifully designed graphics end up in print, the Web, broadcast video, or even cell phone displays, this book shows you how to get them there--easily, elegantly, and efficiently. You'll find step-by-step, project-based lessons in all of Illustrator's key features, including those that are new to CS2: Live Trace, Illustrator’s powerful bitmap-to-vector tracing tool; Live Paint, a revolutionary paint tool that lets you apply color to vector graphics intuitively and easily; the new Control Palette, which makes tools easier to locate and select, the Adobe Bridge file browser, tighter integration with Photoshop CS2, and more. Each chapter contains a project that builds on your growing knowledge of the program, while the companion CD includes all the files you need to complete the book's lessons.

Customer Reviews:

Low rating not product, but Amazon crappy service!.......2007-10-03

Two different orders made on same day, Amazon charged me for product twice and sent me two copies of the book I had ordered. I despise overseas customer service! Could not understand them, period! Website said they would not need verification of my account since I had contacted them through the website, Wrong! I am curious I they were dinking around or if the website is wrong. I do not trust them now with my information. Second attempt got english speaking person, maybe American, but seemed the be standoff-ish as if they could tell I had called before. Said my problem could have been a cookie that was on my computer from the Amazon website and this was why the item was sent twice. Given a couple of drawn out solutions. Very frustrating! Found link to send book back to Amazon as a wrong ordered item. I was not given this option on the phone. I want them to have their property back and I want it done quick so I don't have to pay interest on the charge on my account for this item. Absolute nightmare! I could have bought local, saved money and my time! I'll go elsewhere!!!!

SEE SPOT RUN.......2007-09-29

I signed up for a computer graphics illustrator class at the college and after the first week almost dropped out. A friend sugested I buy ADOBE ILLUSTRATOR CLASSROOM IN A BOOK. With the aid of the book I learned the program, applied my creative skills, completed the class with an A grade. The ADOBE CLASSROOM IN A BOOK series has been a real help to me.

Great Book.......2007-09-22

I really like this book because it helped me learn new things that wasn't taught in school. I which I had bought this book and others like it before I spent so much money going to graphic design school online.

If you are interested in learning graphic design, get this book.

Thorough, Easy to Follow.......2007-09-14

This books gives a very thorough walk-through of Illustrator CS2. If you already have knowledge of other design software, or have lightly used Illustrator previously, the chapters are set up in a methodical manner that are easy to follow and cover all of the options available in this powerful software. The book comes with a CD containing practice files, which further enhances the learning experience.
Over the past year I had taught myself how to use Illustrator, but going through this book has completely raised my level of expertise.
It does help if you are not a complete novice, but if you are, you will learn everything you need to know to create vector art.

Good Intro to CS2.......2007-09-09

I have CS2 and found this to be a solid introduction to the basics of this complicated program. Much in the tradition of the Photoshop7 book. Do every lesson 2-3 times if you are new to Photoshop.

Adobe Illustrator CS2 Classroom in a Book

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Adobe Illustrator CS2 Classroom in a Book
Adobe Creative Team
Manufacturer: Adobe Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OUAF38

Book Description

The most important study of Charlemagne in a generation, this biography by distinguished medievalist Alessandro Barbero illuminates both the man and the world in which he lived. Charles the Great--Charlemagne--reigned from a.d. 768 to a.d. 814. At the time if his death, his empire stretched across Europe to include Bavaria, Saxony, parts of Spain, and Italy. With a remarkable grasp of detail and a sweeping knowledge of Carolingian institutions and economy, Barbero not only brings Charlemagne to life with accounts of his physical appearance, tastes and habits, family life, and ideas and actions but also conveys what it meant to be king of the Franks and, later, emperor. He recounts how Charlemagne ruled his empire, kept justice, and waged wars. He vividly describes the nature of everyday life at that time, how the economy functioned, and how Christians perceived their religion. Barbero's absorbing analysis of how concepts of slavery and freedom were subtly altered as feudal relations began to grow underscores the dramatic changes that the emperor's wars brought to the political landscape. Engaging and informed by deep scholarship, this latest account provides a new and richer context for considering one of history's most fascinating personalities.

Customer Reviews:

Solid, Scholarly Work on the Life of Charlemagne.......2007-09-02

Barbero's recent text on Charlemagne is by some called "the most important work on Charlemagne in a generation." While I don't feel qualified to make such an assertion, there can be little doubt in my own mind that Barbero's work is a solid, scholarly, and ultimately, successful addition to the collection of works available on Charlemagne.

I ran across this book in Paris in 2004, right after the book had come out in print. A brief perusal of the pages told me that this would be a book in which I would be interested. This was not only because I was interested in Charlemagne per se, but because I was wishing to study more about the educational reforms and policies Charlemagne initiated during his reign, and the effect those movements had on subsequent history. Cheers! Barbero's book had much of its text dedicated to Charlemagne's educational reforms, and the volume has served well to help me learn about this important aspect of Charlemagne's life.

The book is scholarly in its approach, and there can be little doubt that it will serve as a foundation work for subsequent scholarly investigations on Charlemagne. In addition, the work is translated from the original Italian. These two facts - a scholarly orientation and a work translated from one language into another - tend to make the text a slightly more difficult read than a truly popular history. This is in no way to denigrate either: Barbero's scholarship and authority on the subject is easily established, and the translation is first rate, nearly flawless. Nevertheless, there is a somewhat "elevated" (for lack of a better word) style at work here that can make moving through the volume a bit slower than one would expect. Perhaps this is not bad, because there is so much content present here that reducing the speed can bring about greater rewards. But it is indeed something that the reader should be aware of before diving in.

Ultimately an excellent addition to any medievalist's library (or anyone else wishing to learn more about "The King of the Franks," Barbero's Charlemagne is worth every penny spent and every minute invested.

A Solid Work (especially for Beginners).......2006-08-06

Mr. Barbero has produced a comprehensive and insightful work, while keeping the book relatively brief and accessible to those who have only rudimentary knowledge of the early Medieval period. The book is organized thematically, not chronologically, but the author maintains a consistent perspective on events, with the result that the reader does not feel as though he/she is wandering aimlessly in a period of time of more than forty years. Mr. Barbero occassionally references modern scholarly debate, adding to the issues his own viewpoints, which are usually quite convincing.

I have found only two caveats:

(1) The book is fairly breif; it is not an expansive guide to Charlemagne's life.

(2) The author spends a great deal of time on the social history of the period, leaving the king far behind. In this respect it is more a history of the kings reign; it is not strictly biography.

All in all this is a solid piece of scholarship.

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Charlemagne (Father of a Continent)
Alessandro Barbero
Manufacturer: Folio Society
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000TOJU08

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Charlemagne Father of a Continent
Alessandro Barbero
Manufacturer: The Folio Society
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000PLS1GO

Charlemagne: Father of a Continent.(Book review) : An article from: Canadian Journal of History

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Charlemagne: Father of a Continent.(Book review) : An article from: Canadian Journal of History
Carey Fleiner
Manufacturer: Thomson Gale
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital

Book Description

This digital document is an article from Canadian Journal of History, published by Thomson Gale on December 1, 2005. The length of the article is 902 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: Charlemagne: Father of a Continent.(Book review)
Author: Carey Fleiner
Publication: Canadian Journal of History (Magazine/Journal)
Date: December 1, 2005
Publisher: Thomson Gale
Volume: 40 Issue: 3 Page: 491(2)

Article Type: Book review

Distributed by Thomson Gale

Charlemagne: Father of a Continent.(Brief article)(Book review): An article from: The Historian

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Charlemagne: Father of a Continent.(Brief article)(Book review): An article from: The Historian
Mary Alberi
Manufacturer: Thomson Gale
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital
ASIN: B000MX6YTG
Release Date: 2007-01-24

Book Description

This digital document is an article from The Historian, published by Thomson Gale on June 22, 2006. The length of the article is 515 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: Charlemagne: Father of a Continent.(Brief article)(Book review)
Author: Mary Alberi
Publication: The Historian (Magazine/Journal)
Date: June 22, 2006
Publisher: Thomson Gale
Volume: 68 Issue: 2 Page: 375(2)

Article Type: Book review, Brief article

Distributed by Thomson Gale

Amazon.com

Before 1997, the name "El Niño" was unknown to most ordinary folks. Meteorologists, oceanographers, commercial fishers, and weather buffs knew of this periodic climatic anomaly, but to the everyday person on the street, a few degrees' difference in the Pacific Ocean's temperature was irrelevant. Then one of the most powerful El Niños in recorded history caused bitter freezes in Europe, brutal snowstorms and floods in western North America, and deadly droughts throughout the South Pacific. People sat up and took notice as a relatively tiny change in oceanic temperature resulted in death and destruction in many parts of the globe.

Brian Fagan examines the social effects of El Niño and other powerful weather phenomena in Floods, Famines and Emperors. He gives plenty of examples of how cultures have adapted to stressful weather and the ways in which climatic alterations have changed the course of history. From droughts in ancient Egypt to monsoons in India, the far-reaching effects of meteorology's most cantankerous kid have deeply affected the way humans live in the world. Illustrated with useful maps and diagrams, Floods, Famines and Emperors is a clear, fascinating look at an aspect of climate studies--and of El Niño--mostly ignored by science. --Therese Littleton

Book Description

In 1997 and early 1998, one of the most powerful El Ni"os ever recorded disrupted weather patterns the world over. Europe suffered a record freeze, as the American West was hit by massive floods and snowstorms, while droughts resulted in enormous forest fires in Southeast Asia, and famine in East Africa.

In Floods, Famines, and Emperors, Brian Fagan shows that these events were neither isolated nor new. El Nio has been disrupting weather patterns on and off for some five millennia--perhaps much longer-- sometimes with catastrophic effects on civilizations. Integrating climate science, archaeology, history, and the superb writing of a natural storyteller, Fagan shows how the systemic interaction of climate, land, and people have shaped culture since the dawn of time: El Ni"o droughts have brought on the collapse of dynasties in ancient Egypt; El Ni"o monsoon failures have caused historic famines in India, while El Ni"o floods have destroyed entire civilizations in Peru, and changed the course of European exploration.

The material that comprises Floods, Famines, and Emperor is only now beginning to be discussed in scientific symposia. But Fagan has not written a dry, academic text. This book is a lucid, fascinating, and thoroughly readable account of climate and culture for history buffs, archaeology enthusiasts, the growing legions of weather watchers, and science readers of all kinds.

Customer Reviews:

Great Book.......2005-11-26

This book was required for a climatology class I took. I was very surprised to find myself reading ahead of scheduled readings because it was so interesting! It is a very quick read and just fascinating!

Water, water, everywhere and nowhere.......2004-03-15

According to Brian Fagan, the phenomenon known as El Nino has abruptly entered our collective awareness. That's a good thing, since its effects have a long, and often disastrous reach. It is not, he contends, the only issue to consider in climate impact. It has been "over-hyped" by media. The issues go beyond freak storms and harsh droughts. Humans have confronted weather throughout their evolutionary history. How society copes with global weather impact is Fagan's real concern. He's collected a wealth of information in this well written account. There is much to learn from this book, which includes some intriguing
surprises.

Comfortably divided into three major themes, Fagan opens with an explanation of El Nino's "discovery". What had seemed to be freak weather events proved to have an underlying pattern. The El Nino Southern Oscillation [ENSO] is an eastward moving body of warm Pacific Ocean water. The warmth blocks the flow of the Humboldt Current moving from Antarctica along the South American coast. Fish die or depart, with birds duplicating the pattern. Fagan stresses that the effect of that warm cell has global reach and has roots deep in time. Pharonic Egypt felt its impact, perhaps contributing, if not causing, social upheaval and even a new philosophy of rule by those absolute rulers.

How society and its rulers deal with abrupt weather change is the focus of the second part. As an anthropologist, Fagan is conversant with ancient societies. He examines the Andean Moche people who engineered extensive irrigation systems to catch feeble rainfall. With El Nino, rainfall changes from feeble to fabulous and the Moche watched their canals being flushed away. The following famines broke the power of the Moche aristocracy and the culture collapsed. A similar fate occurred to the Maya, whose rigid social pattern prevented them from coping with crop loss. However, the Anasazi people of the American Southwest, long skilled in desert agriculture, had a different method for dealing with drought. A loose, flexible society encouraged sharing of resources, then departure when the soil failed. Fagan overturns the long-held view that the Anasazi "mysteriously" disappeared. He contends they simply dispersed.

In the final section, Fagan relates some historical climate events such as The Little Ice Age and the Sahel drought. He examines the short-sighted policies that have exacerbated the human impact of such events. Over expansion in good years leaves no flexibility for addressing the needs of bad times. Governments must avoid superficial solutions in the face of knowing climate will generate surprises. Better planning scenarios are required for land occupation and use. Although it's been said before, Fagan urges better understanding of what is sustainable. That, of course, means more research and the application of political will derived from its results. While that may curtail some short-term profit gains and force revision of some cultural noms, it's the survival of the species that's at stake.

Fagan's easy writing style mustn't undercut the value of this book. Enhanced with good maps tied nicely to the text and an outstanding bibliography make this book required reading. Weather, after all, is part of the human condition everywhere. We all need to understand better its impact, and cheap jokes about El Nino aren't part of that comprehension. [stephen a. haines - Ottawa, Canada]

Good to read; a nice beginning.......2002-05-03

To be honest, I enjoyed this book far more than I anticipated. Fagan is a smart archaelogist, and does not reduce human history to weather; rather he shows how weather can influence politics, religion, agriculture, and economics. Fagan could have made this point more clearly: weather can sometimes be influential; it's not determinative.

Fagan offers a good direction for archaelogists and historians to head; more serious works would do well to take up Fagan's challenge to analyze historical weather patterns. It'll be a tough go, but well-worth the trouble.

One of the book's strongest chapters is Chapter 11, showing how French colonial rule in the Sahel helped to impoverish and starve peoples living there, while increasing desertification. Here, he echoes the theme of the vastly superior _Late Victorian Holocausts: El Nino and the Making of the Third World_. This latter book, by Mike Davis, is one of the most important books of recent decades. Where Fagan fails to consider structural inequalities and human suffering as a result of El Ninos, Davis fully succeeds. The books make for some nice contrasts (I assigned both to my college students). Turn to Davis, after you've had fun with Fagan.

Weather Side of History--One Really Big Core Idea.......2001-11-13

This book is an excellent complement to David Key's book on "Catastrophe", and I found it a worthwhile fast read.

It has one really big core idea that ties environmental, political, economic, and cultural readings together--it explores the inter-relationship between sustainability of any given society within the constraints of the time and the legitimacy of the government or other form of political organization.

Two things appear to help: long-term vision on the part of the leader, and whatever it takes to maintain the people's faith in their leadership.

The author concludes with an overview of where we stand today, and draws attention to the especially dangerous combination of overpopulation, global warming, and rapid climate changes occurring all at once.

For me, this book combined an overview of how seriously we must take ocean currents and related climate changes; and how important it is that our leaders understand these issues and take long-term views that add stability and sustainability in the face of varying challenges to our well-being.

A piece of fluff--engaging but little substance.......2000-04-13

In terms of readability, Fagan's book is a decent piece of popular science. It makes an engaging argument that human civilizations have been affected mightily by climatic shifts. But it is fraught with problems: I am an expert on the history of El Ni~no, and I can attest that the chapters about El Ni~nos past and the history of scientists' understanding of El Ni~no hit some of the bright spots. But the details are at best inaccuate and at worst highly deceptive. Fagan simply knows little about this subject, otherwise he would have distilled a more accurate account! It simply does not stand up to careful examination. Mickey Glantz's book _Currents of Change_ (1996) is better, although it suffers from similar problems and is less readable. Those who want to read a carefully researched narrative about the El Ni~no-Southern Oscillation and its impact on human history unfortunately have no where to go, yet.

Floods, Famines and Emperors: El Nino and the Fate of Civilization

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Floods, Famines and Emperors: El Nino and the Fate of Civilization
Brian Fagan
Manufacturer: Basic Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0965870367

Floods, Famines, and Emperors: El Nino and the Fate of Civilizations

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Floods, Famines, and Emperors: El Nino and the Fate of Civilizations
Brian M. Fagan
Manufacturer: Basic Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000MC4HT6

Book Description

Imagine standing at the center of a Roman coliseum that is 20 miles across, with walls that soar 10 miles into the sky, towering walls with cascades of ice crystals falling along its brilliantly white surface. That's what it's like to stand in the eye of a hurricane. In Divine Wind, Kerry Emanuel, one of the world's leading authorities on hurricanes, gives us an engaging account of these awe-inspiring meteorological events, revealing how hurricanes and typhoons have literally altered human history, thwarting military incursions and changing the course of explorations. Offering an account of the physics of the tropical atmosphere, the author explains how such benign climates give rise to the most powerful storms in the world and tells what modern science has learned about them. Interwoven with this scientific account are descriptions of some of the most important hurricanes in history and relevant works of art and literature. For instance, he describes the 17th-century hurricane that likely inspired Shakespeare's The Tempest and that led to the British colonization of Bermuda. We also read about the Galveston Hurricane of 1900, by far the worst natural calamity in U.S. history, with a death toll between 8,000 and 12,000 that exceeded the San Francisco earthquake, the Johnstown Flood, and the Okeechobee Hurricane co Boasting more than one hundred color illustrations, frommbined. Boasting more than one hundred color illustrations, from ultra-modern Doppler imagery to classic paintings by Winslow Homer, Divine Wind captures the profound effects that hurricanes have had on humanity. Its fascinating blend of history, science, and art will appeal to weather junkies, science buffs, and everyone who read Isaac's Storm.

Customer Reviews:

One Of The Original Hurricane Hunters Comments!.......2007-09-03

As an original member of the 53rd Weather Recon. Sqdn of the USAAC and who has flown in B-17's & B-29's into Hurricanes in the early 1940's, I felt alive as I read Kerry's Divine Wind. I have complimented Kerry on this excellent work that covers History, Poetry and Science. This book is a must for everyone, particularly those living on the Eastern Seaboard of the USA. All of us living on Planet Earth need to know about the forces of nature and Divine Wind educates us about Hurricanes--Thanks to the expertise of Kerry Emanuel!

SUPERB.......2006-02-23

This book is subtitled "The History and Science of Hurricanes." Exactly.
I bought it to learn more about the natural processes that produce hurricanes, and the science that "explains" them. I got everything that I hoped for, and more.
This is a nicely written description of science for the non-scientist, but not dumbed down or patronizing. I also got social history, not a topic I had been looking for, but which I enjoyed; it added yet another dimension to this outstanding presentation.
10 stars for this book.
I am about to buy a second copy, for a friend in Florida.

Great Book!.......2006-02-23

Being a Hurricane Katrina victim I found this book to be quite informative and interesting. The scientific aspect of it is a bit technical, but it related to my current Biology course and it's always nice to come across a real-world application of something you're studying in class. I've also discovered some interesting facts regarding the history of hurricanes, although I was a little disappointed to find there was practically nothing about the Last Island Hurricane which, to my surprise, is a piece of history that has been largely ignored.

Splendid Mix of Science and History.......2005-11-17

Rarely has a book come out in so timely a fashion. And to match the timeliness, rarely has a book had such an excellent match of science and history.

The book gives a series of historical stories beginning with the Kamikaze storms that saved Japan from the Mongol invasions in 1274 and 1281. He continues with numerous stories from the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico including incidents beginning with Columbus and continuing until recent times. Two particularily interesting chapters dealt with the 1945 typhoons that did more damage to Admiral Halsey's fleet than the Japanese, and then the chapter on flying airplanes into the eye fo the storms.

From the scientific standpoint he presents numerous chapters on every aspect from general descriptions to explaining terms used by the weather forcasters such as wind shear. At the conclusion you'll understand what's happening much better.

And to prove just how good forecasting has become, the forecast at the beginning of the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season 15 named tropical storms and eight hurricanes were predicted. By November 1, 2005 there have been 23 named storms...with 13 becoming hurricanes and 7 becoming major hurricanes.

A unique and "Divine" book about Hurricanes!.......2005-09-25

While it is true that the Amazon rating system only goes to 5, this excellent book should get a 10!! I've read/own most of the hurricane books written and this is absolutely one of the best.

The rare artwork, clear illustrations, historical treatment and cutting-edge science make this a book that should be in your library.

Divine Wind: The History and Science of Hurricanes

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Divine Wind: The History and Science of Hurricanes
Kerry Emanuel
Manufacturer: Oxford University Press, USA
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OKAVJ6

Book Description

This is a high-level case-study reference volume on the sustainable future of freshwater wetlands. Using evidence collected from studies on the Trebon Basin biosphere reserve, the book's main sections cover the key role of wetlands, ecological consequences of fishpond management, wetlands surrounding an ancient man-made lake, mires in a marginal situation, and future prospects for wetlands. Includes bibliographic references plus indexes by author, subject and scientific name of organisms.

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