A Breed So Rare: The Life of J.R. Parten, Liberal Texas Oilman, 1896-1992

Customer Reviews:

Excellent Political Biography.......1999-07-25

J. R. Parten was a different type of Texas oilman and this well researched and documented study of his life is a fitting tribute to a man who gave much to civil liberties. Parten had to grow into being a champion of liberties, and this excellent biography of Parten political involvement tells the story in detail. What is missing is the rest of Parten's life the reader learns little of his business activities and less of his personal life. What kind of business manger was Parten? After reading the book I don't know. His family life and personal relationships are skimmed over. This book presents a different story on the founding of the Great Northern Oil company than J. Howard Marshall told in his autobiography. The author interviewed Marshall, but discounted his point of view. I would also like to know how Parten managed his relationship with Fred C. Koch, one of the founders of the John Birch Society when they were both on the board of directors for Great Northern.

One of the problems of writing a biography is growing to close to the subject I fear this happened in this book. Yet, Parten deserves to have his story told the author does an excellent job of that; I just wanted more of the story.

Product Description

This collection of essays (first published in Big Reel) lovingly recalls the glory days of the movie serial. The primary focus is on the fans of the serialswhat they thought of them in their heyday, what they think of them now, and why these episodic tales are still so popular. Preceding each article is a brief commentary about the essay explaining why the topic was chosen and the reader response it evoked when first published.

Book Description

** COMPLETELY UNAUTHORIZED **

Leading writers discuss, debate, and celebrate the legend of Superman in this anthology, contending that his legend is a truly American myth. Superman was an immigrant with little more than the clothes on his back and raised by simple farmers, absorbing their humble values. He always chose to do the right thing, fighting for truth, justice, and the American way, and represents America at its best. The in-depth analyses of the comics, films and cartoons are at turns funny, philosophical, insightful, and personal, exploring every aspect of the Superman legend.

Customer Reviews:

A must have for Superman fans.......2007-08-04

What a great read! Most of the essays I agreed with and some I did not, but I enjoyed reading everyone of them. What a fun and intellectual way to look at, who I believe is the greatest character in the history of popular culture.

Superman is many things to many people........2006-07-26

It is very clear that to each of us Superman is a different person and the same goes for his alter ego Clark Kent and the rest of the characters in the DC Universe. As a Superman reader and collector for 65 years and as one who used Superman in the classroom for 40 years, I start reading any book like this with a prejudiced viewpoint. I know Superman, I was born in his birth city or rather the city his creators lived in.

I wish I could give this book five stars, some of the selections are sensational. Others kind of go against everything I personally believe about The Man of Steel. In some cases I can't believe the authors really read the comics or saw the films and TV shows. This is just my perception. I won't cite examples one way or another as this is a matter of personal opinion.

Over all I love the book and especially enjoyed reading plotlines and quotes from various comic books that took me back to when I first read them. You are bound to forget a great deal in 65 years and in that context this was a trip down memory lane. However, you can over analyse and I am reminded of college English teachers who destroyed more than one person's interest in reading by being picky over every little line in a story.

Most of the writers were careful in their analysis, using logic and good sense while showing a love for the Superman legend. Others over killed by trying to intellectualize everything said or done by Superman, Clark Kent, Lois and others no matter how trite. My favorite current reading about Superman is Steve Skelton's, "The Gospel According To The World's Greatest Super Hero". That I have read twice since receiving it a month ago.

I am glad that after the documentation section at the end of each article there is mention of other works by the authors that the reader may want to check out. Some I will.

Book Description

What lies beyond the darkness?

This graphically dynamic 3D fantasy RPG draws players into a deep, real-time world of heroes and wizards. Conquer a bevy of mystical characters with Soulbringer: Prima's Official Strategy Guide, a must for getting through this fantastic adventure! Within the guide you'll find:

• Fingertip character reference–vital info for each quest-related NPC
• Three walkthroughs–hints, checklists, and complete text
• Detailed maps for every region in the game
• All magic revealed–runestones, the Hex, and more than 60 spells
• Combat and quest hints and strategies
• Descriptions and stats for all enemies, weapons, armor, equipment, and food
• Secrets for solving every puzzle

Customer Reviews:

Book info.......2001-05-26

This amazing journey thruogh time in a wizardring clash of good and evil.Also the amazing magic you use, it deserves the 4 stars

Book Description

Expert guidance from well-known programming author Jeff Richter about the CLR and the .NET Framework 2.0. Your hands-on guide to developing applications with the common language runtime (CLR) and Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0, with examples in Microsoft Visual C# 2005.

Customer Reviews:

Another five-star review.......2007-09-17

Most of what needs to be said about this book has already been said. But I feel a need add my two cents, if only to toss another five stars out there.

Really, this one is an example of what a good technical book should be. It's style is both understandable and unpretentious and it covers topics with depth and clarity. The overall organization is such that it never seemed like that terms, ideas, and concepts were being used that had not been introduced previously. Reading this book was a true pleasue and I know I will be referring back to it many times.

The book provides a developer's view of the internals of the .Framework and its CLR. It's more than you need to know to hammer out a lot of code. But if you want to build really good apps - or just want to know what .NET is all about - buy the book, read it, and keep in at hand.

Good book with caveats.......2007-09-09

This is a good book, considering it is primarily a reference/internals book. Those are notoriously hard to write and also be easily consumed. A bit dry at times, but for the most part is readable. The book also has minimal errors and is logically structured.

A couple of observations:

1. An experienced developer will benefit more from the content that someone with less experience or someone that is new to .NET. This book covers a lot of fundamentals, but you will learn more if you have time writing code in C#/.NET 2.0.

2. The factual content is quite useful, and most other books don't even come close to this. In addition to the facts, Jeff injects some of his opinion. An experienced developer will recognize these segments as opinion and reconcile that with the realities of their own work environment.

For example, Jeff prefers using the formal CLR syntax for primitive types over the C# shorthand (e.g., "Int32" instead of "int"). This of course is a matter of preference, and will most likely be determined by the coding styles and practices at your workplace.

Jeff also does not like Properties, and wishes that Microsoft had not included them as part of the framework. Again, an experienced developer will probably not read this and immediately stop using properties. It is not inconceivable however, that an inexperienced developer may read it and develop a bias against properties, something that may not be advisable.

The seminal .NET work.......2007-08-09

There's not much I can say that hasn't been said already, but this is the single-most important book for a .NET developer. The author's technical writing ability is second-to-none. I have yet to find another source that covers the same material with the level of clarity and depth as this book. Until you've absorbed the information presented in this book, you'll never be more than an intermediate developer.

The must-have .NET book.......2007-06-16

The only thing I can add to the other reviews is the perspective of a professional developer and mentor for over 10 years with a library large enough to start my own book store. The is THE book that every .NET developer needs to own and STUDY. It will help keep you out of trouble and help you create better product.

You will learn important things you will not learn elsewhere and find yourself referring to it again and again. Fortunately, you'll find this a very pleasurable experience as Richter is a terrific and entertaining technical writer.

Covers stuff in depth.......2007-05-10

Jeffery Richter has done an excellent job in covering CLR. There are lots of books in market which teach you how to program in C#, but avoid details of CLR. They book is pro developers who want to gain expert level knowledge of C# and CLR. This book along with Professional .NET Framework by Duffy covers whole nine yards.

Average customer rating:

A great book of sailors' "lessons learned," well worth the price!

Now they tell me!

Things I Wish I'd Known Before I Started Sailing

200 entries which blend humor with solid practical advice

Tidbits from someone who clearly knows his way around boats

Things I Wish I'd Known Before I Started Sailing
John Vigor , and Thomas Payne
Manufacturer: Sheridan House
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
General | Sailing | Water Sports | Sports | Subjects | Books
Instructional | Sailing | Water Sports | Sports | Subjects | Books
General | Sports | Subjects | Books
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Seaworthy Offshore Sailboat: A Guide to Essential Features, Handling, and Gear

The Complete Sailor: Learning the Art of Sailing

Your First Sailboat : How to Find and Sail the Right Boat for You

Sailing For Dummies (For Dummies (Sports & Hobbies))

How to Sail Around the World : Advice and Ideas for Voyaging Under Sail

ASIN: 1574092111

Book Description

Aimed at sailboat owners of all kinds, this reference book contains 200 entries packed with solid practical advice and valuable tips. The alphabetical reference format offers the reader opportunities to open the book at any page and browse endlessly. Cartoons by Sail Magazine cartoonist Tom Payne enliven the text. A comprehensive appendix covers over 50 technical topics.

Customer Reviews:

A great book of sailors' "lessons learned," well worth the price!.......2007-10-01

This is a great, easy-to-read book of sailors' "lessons learned," written by a man with much more experience at sea than most of us will ever have. It is not a book intended to teach you how to sail, but one with the intent of telling you how to avoid problems, both on and off the water. It is organized alphabetically, by subject, and the end of the book includes many useful tables, formulas, etc., that you might not easily find anywhere else. It covers various preventive techniques, ways to correct problems if they do occur, and things that merchants and repairmen might never tell you unless you know to ask. I also like that this book includes a fair amount of humor, and that the subjects covered are not all purely technical. Vigor goes so far as to address the phenomenon of "hearing voices" at sea, various superstitions, and even how to rename a boat in a way that doesn't cause it to become unlucky. This is a great little book and is well worth the price

Now they tell me!.......2007-05-14

This book is such a complete hoot; also it's full of helpful insights into all the things I wanted to know but was too stupid to ask! It's such a fun to read book that I even read the sections about the stuff I (thought) I already knew - and I'll do it again too. Mr Vigor's writing style is just so friendly and understandable, that it's a pleasure to read and learn from.

In short, you won't regret having purchased this book - it's affordable and fun.

Things I Wish I'd Known Before I Started Sailing.......2007-04-11

This book contained lots of helpful hints for the new sailor in a humorous way. Easy and fun to read!

200 entries which blend humor with solid practical advice.......2005-12-09

If you think a serious approach is inherent in a book like John Vigor's Things I Wish I'd Known Before I Started Sailing, think again: there's no orthodoxy to sailing, and plenty of truths to tell - and Vigor reveals them in 200 entries which blend humor with solid practical advice. From knowing what kind of documentation is needed to sail into foreign waters to renaming or repainting a boat, Things I Wish I'd Known Before I Started Sailing avoids many pitfalls.

Tidbits from someone who clearly knows his way around boats.......2005-12-05

This is an alphabetical listing of boat issues, common misconceptions, followed by the authors opinion on the issue.
He is clearly knowledgeable, but each area is so short you don't get the full benefit. I found myself reading them and thinking, I wish he would have said more about this.

Customer Reviews:

great book.......2007-01-15

I'm reading this book and I would have to agree with the other reviewers. This is one of the best history books that I've read. It's comprehensive, critical, and easy-to-read. I wish there was a follow-up book to cover the last 26 years of 'world history.'

Formed my social, political, international outlook.......2001-03-16

I read this book 12 years ago in college and still count it in the top 5 books of my life. A huge book, it thoroughly documents the history of the development of capitalism, colonialism and the struggles for decolonization. Goes a long way toward explaining current globalization, economics, political and ethnic struggles in the world. It all fits in a challenging but cohesive and compelling narrative about how the world has "developed" over the past 400 years or so. Guaranteed to make you see things differently and understand international issues better. But beware: hard to be a simple complacent consumer in the 1st World after reading it.

The Best Political Science Book I've Ever Read.......1999-10-25

I first encountered this book in a course I took at Gettysburg College, taught by the best teacher I have ever had -- Christine Sylvester. It is a huge book -- and to be honest I really sped through it. But it is absorbing and mind-opening. Published at the dawn of the Reagan era, it can offer an alternative view to the predominant tone of self-congratulations that spews forth from conservative hacks.

The best book I've ever read! A must read!.......1999-01-17

If you ever read any history book, read this one. It's has changed my understanding of politics and economics more than anything else. Reading it can be a radicalizing experience, not because of it's rhetorical arguments, but it's clear and methodical explanation of the history of capitalism as it relates to the third world. Despite it's hefty 900 pages, it's easy and enjoyable to read. I recommend it for anybody who wants to understand the background to present day politics. Where are Islamic militants coming from when the express so much hate for the US and Israel? How did Japan become a defacto `western' nation and avoid colonization? What is the background surrounding the genocidal upheaval gripping central Africa?

Global Rift is a simply amazing book that everybody who wants to understand the roots of modern globalism should read!

Average customer rating:
The Great Global Rift
Peter Briggs
Manufacturer: Weybright and Talley
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000GO3RJG

Average customer rating:
The great global rift
Peter Briggs
Manufacturer: Weybright and Talley
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

Earth Sciences | Science, Nature & How It Works | Children's Books | Subjects | Books | Fiction | Nonfiction
ASIN: B0006BVZUC

Average customer rating:
Shallow-source aeromagnetic anomalies observed over the West Antarctic Ice Sheet compared with coincident bed topography from radar ice sounding-new evidence ... article from: Global and Planetary Change]
J.C. Behrendt , D.D. Blankenship , D.L. Morse , and Bell
Manufacturer: Elsevier
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital
ASIN: B000RQZJ3U

Book Description

This digital document is a journal article from Global and Planetary Change, published by Elsevier in 2004. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Media Library immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Description:
Aeromagnetic and radar ice sounding results from the 1991-1997 Central West Antarctica (CWA) aerogeophysical survey over part of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet (WAIS) and subglacial area of the volcanically active West Antarctic rift system have enabled detailed examination of specific anomaly sources. These anomalies, previously interpreted as caused by late Cenozoic subglacial volcanic centers, are compared to newly available glacial bed-elevation data from the radar ice sounding compilation of the entire area of the aeromagnetic survey to test this hypothesis in detail. We examined about 1000 shallow-source magnetic anomalies for bedrock topographic expression. Using very conservative criteria, we found over 400 specific anomalies which correlate with bed topography directly beneath each anomaly. We interpret these anomalies as indicative of the relative abundance of volcanic anomalies having shallow magnetic sources. Of course, deeper source magnetic anomalies are present, but these have longer wavelengths, lower gradients and mostly lower amplitudes from those caused by the highly magnetic late Cenozoic volcanic centers. The great bulk of these >400 (40-1200-nT) anomaly sources at the base of the ice have low bed relief (60-600 m, with about 80% <200 m). We interpret this relief as an indication of residual topography after glacial removal of volcanic edifices comprising hyaloclastite, pillow breccia and other volcanic debris erupted into the moving ice during volcanism since the initiation of the WAIS >10 million years ago. Eighteen of the anomalies examined, about half concentrated in the area of the WAIS divide, have high-topographic expression (as great as 400 m above sea level) and high bed relief (up to 1500 m). All of these high-topography anomaly sources at the base of the ice would isostatically rebound to elevations above sea level were the ice removed. We interpret these 18 anomaly sources as evidence of subaerial eruption of volcanoes whose topography was protected from erosion by competent volcanic flows similar to prominent volcanic peaks that are exposed above the surface of the WAIS. Further, we infer these volcanoes as possibly erupted at a time when the WAIS was absent. In contrast, at the other extreme, there are a number of shallow-source, volcanic appearing magnetic anomalies overlying the very smooth bed topography in the survey area beneath Ice Stream D (Bindshadler Ice Stream); the glacial bed probably comprises a very thin layer of unconsolidated sediments (till). Probably, the volcanic edifices here were removed at a more rapid rate because of fast glacial flow. A few of the very shallow-source ''volcanic'' anomalies overlie the ice shelf just downstream of the grounding line of Ice Stream D, suggesting a causal relationship, if the volcanism is recent.

The transatlantic rift: US leadership after September 11. (Perspectives on the United States).(European, American views on global security): An article from: Harvard International Review

Average customer rating:

The transatlantic rift: US leadership after September 11. (Perspectives on the United States).(European, American views on global security): An article from: Harvard International Review
Javier Solana
Manufacturer: Harvard International Relations Council, Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital

General | Politics | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

Book Description

This digital document is an article from Harvard International Review, published by Harvard International Relations Council, Inc. on January 1, 2003. The length of the article is 2831 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: The transatlantic rift: US leadership after September 11. (Perspectives on the United States).(European, American views on global security)
Author: Javier Solana
Publication: Harvard International Review (Refereed)
Date: January 1, 2003
Publisher: Harvard International Relations Council, Inc.
Volume: 24 Issue: 4 Page: 62(5)

Distributed by Thomson Gale

The 1981 global situation concerning mosquitoes and disease

Average customer rating:

The 1981 global situation concerning mosquitoes and disease
Helen Sollers-Riedel
Manufacturer: New Jersey Mosquito Extermination Association
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
ASIN: B00070WIF8

Average customer rating:

If everything's a dream, then nothing's a dream.

Sophistocated and enlightening

Very good.

Basic Instincts

Spectacles for the Mind's Eye.

The Dreaming Universe: A Mind-Expanding Journey Into the Realm Where Psyche and Physics Meet
Fred Alan Wolf
Manufacturer: Touchstone
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Dreams | Mental Health | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books
General | Psychology & Counseling | Health, Mind & Body | Subjects | Books
Dreams | New Age | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
General | Occult | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
General | Science | Subjects | Books
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Parallel Universes

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Mind into Matter: A New Alchemy of Science and Spirit

ASIN: 0684801590

Book Description

In The Dreaming Universe author Fred Alan Wolf examines the psychological and scientific elements of this most personal yet most enigmatic of human processes. By linking research ranging from the ancient Greek "dream temples" and modern experiments in telepathy, REM, and lucid dreaming to his own research on human consciousness, he theorizes that dreaming is the basis for consciousness, and that it is through dreaming that we are able to manifest a sense of ourselves.

Customer Reviews:

If everything's a dream, then nothing's a dream........2002-08-14

10-Point Rating: (5.5)
This book gets two stars for dealing with an extremely interesting topic and for making quite a few good points throughout, however the author just wants dreams to do too much. The fact that we can and do distinguish between waking (i.e. ordinary) consciousness and dream consciousness means that the two must be qualitatively different - and in fact they are. The discontinuity of dreams among other features distinguishes them as derivative conscious states, that is to say they are not primary - everyday waking consciousness is primary. We define dreams relative to waking states and not vice-versa for a variety of reasons, and Wallace does little to challenge these obvious differences. It's a bit like saying "everything's alive" or "everything's conscious" - statements like these tend to cheapen the meanings of these words, if everything is, then nothing is.

Sophistocated and enlightening.......2002-03-22

This has much of the same information as the Holographic Universe (above) but worded in a more scientific way. I found Talbot's book much easier to read and just better overall. This book is highly worthwhile in it's own right although. If I had to pick one it would be Talbots.

Very good........2002-01-06

This is not light reading..It is a read that one has to take slow and think about. The information presented in the book is very thought stimulating. It is an excellent book and the author does a good job of simplifying a very complex subject.

Basic Instincts.......2001-04-26

This book is a must if you've ever wondered why it's easier to hunt deer with a computer game than it is to hunt the real thing. A computer (and the brain, according to some physicists) operate under Boolean theory. A program contains all possible scenarios at once, with overlaps in some segments of each. A specific inquiry narrows the choices, but ultimately, there is only one outcome. Fred Alan Wolf attempts to explain the variable 'instinct' that is the ancient universal holding place for all knowledge. Instinct can't be duplicated by a computer, so it must exist in a Quantum environment. A semi-conscious state like a dream would be necessary to access such an environment. An excellent thought-provoking read.

Spectacles for the Mind's Eye........2001-03-12

Fred Alan Wolf takes us closer than ever to understanding the "Mind's Eye," and how the brain produces pictures through holograms.

Whether you agree or disagree with Wolf's conclusions, you can't read this book without learning something, or seeing something new in the world of consciousness, matter, and dreams. I highly recommend this book.

Book Description

Attempts to manage natural resources through collaboration rather than competition, by agreements rather than conflict, have become the touchstone for many who see these efforts as the harbinger of global sustainable development. The contributors to this volume advise caution as well as optimism for projects conducted in this way. By drawing on the experience of NGOs, national governments, and donor sectors as well as academic researchers this volume analyzes the theory and practice of participatory natural resource management and demonstrates the value of constructive dialogue between all those involved.

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