Steven Spielberg: The Unauthorised Biography

Book Description

``As polished and perceptive a biography as you would hope from a writer who has done justice to Fellini and Bunuel.'' New Statesman & Society Steven Spielberg is one of the cinema's greatest enchanters, with a spellbinding capacity--and a box office record--matched by very few. His power now exceeds that of the greatest moguls of Hollywood's golden era, and films like the Indiana Jones trilogy, ``ET,'' ``Close Encounters of the Third Kind,'' ``Jurassic Park,'' and the Oscar-winning ``Schindler's List''--seen by billions around the world--have forever changed the way movies are made. How was it that this ``movie brat'' became one of the most formidable players on the global entertainment scene? John Baxter has applied considerable scholarship in his quest to discover what makes Spielberg tick, and it is a success story that he tells with relish. Now in paperback, with a filmography and 55 photographs. John Baxter is a film critic, novelist and biographer; among his many books are Bunuel, Fellini, The Hollywood Exiles, and The Cinema of John Ford. 460 pp 5 x 8 55 b/w photos

Customer Reviews:

Entertaining but troubling.......2007-02-21

As someone relatively young, born and raised when Spielberg was already popular for Jaws, I've always found him an iconic figure but have never exactly been a fan-boy. Enjoyed the movies, but never really succumbed to worship. That said...

Mr. Baxter's attempt seems admirable on sight alone -- it's a large book -- but while reading I couldn't help but take issue with his tone and perspective. Rather than acknowledging the obvious talent it takes to craft the stories the way Spielberg does, the author focuses on an idea that Spielberg is more manipulative businessman than creative force. A simple viewing of even some of his earliest work, like Jaws, diminishes Mr. Baxter's point considerably.

Let's talk about the creative process and how he's able to visualize and achieve what he has; his business acumen at a young age just seems too obvious a point to harp on.

This book has plenty of interesting anecodotes and armchair-psychology ideas. But I'm struggling to get to page 200, don't feel compelled to finish and don't feel I've gleaned much as to HOW Spielberg gets things done as a director. I understand that biographers probably often feel the need to develop a strong point-of-view; maybe Mr. Baxter's attempt just missed the mark (for me).

Good, but not great........2005-06-17

While John Baxter's informative and interesting biography of Steven Spielberg is a solid examine, it fails to dig deep into its own questions and ethos. The early years at Universal Studios are well told and compelling, the author seems to lose interest halfway through concerning Temple of Doom and The Color Purple. Some chapters are prearranged too much breathing space, while other essential proceedings are frustratingly twee. To his credit, Baxter does a good job at showcasing some of the most excellent films (JAWS, RAIDERS and SCHINDLER'S LIST) but ultimately it lacks the depth that made Ian Freer's Spielberg book the best. This is one for the completists though, but for someone more perceptive, there are plenty of superior books.

I want more !.......2000-04-17

The book only scrathes the surface of this splendid director. Several chapters on the directors movies are simply to "thin". There's no information that we haven't heard of before. Instead read the book on GEORGE LUCAS by same auther. It's much better.

A very informative book about a great filmmaker.......1999-06-09

This is a very interesting book about a filmmaker. What i like is that it spends most about his career. It was very well written biography.

Don't be fooled.......1997-04-28

Despite its respectable cover this is only slightly more serious than the celebrity tell-alls of recent months. Incidentally it also has at least a couple of factual flaws even mild Internet research could have corrected

Steven Spielberg: The Unauthorised Biography

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Steven Spielberg: The Unauthorised Biography
John Baxter
Manufacturer: HarperCollins Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000O8W4F2

Customer Reviews:

A must for any fisherman.......2003-12-20

This is a must read for anyone who has ever experienced the frustrations and joys of sport fishing. Bob Silverman's personal experiences translate into entertaining, witty, and deep vignettes. I couldn't put it down.

Book Description

Video technology promises to be the key for the transmission of motion video. A number of video compression techniques and standards have been introduced in the past few years, particularly the MPEG-1 and MPEG-2 for interactive multimedia and for digital NTSC and HDTV applications, and H.261/H.263 for video telecommunications. These techniques use motion estimation techniques to reduce the amount of data that is stored and transmitted for each frame. Motion Estimation Algorithms for Video Compression is about these motion estimation algorithms, their complexity, implementations, advantages and drawbacks. First, an overview of video compression techniques is presented with an emphasis on techniques which use motion estimation, such as MPEG and H.261/H.263. Then, the book presents a survey of current motion estimation search algorithms, including the exhaustive search and a number of fast search algorithms. An evaluation of current search algorithms, based on a number of experiments on several test video sequences, is also presented. Motion Estimation Algorithms for Video Compression develops the theoretical framework for a new fast search algorithm, Densely-Centered Uniform-P Search (DCUPS). The complexity of the DCUPS algorithm is comparable to other popular motion estimation techniques; however the algorithm shows superior results in terms of compression ratios and video quality. This book serves as an excellent reference source and may be used as the text for an advanced course on the subject.

Customer Reviews:

One of the very few books on the topic.......2000-04-21

This book is poorly edited and too expensive for what you get. However, it is the only book I know of on the topic. It does an Ok job of describing the various techniques for motion estimation, and also delves into theory. What I like about this book is the many numeric experimental results that can be helpful in evaluating and comparing the various techniques. You may find this book useful as a supliment to some of the books on MPEG.

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Film Noir Reader #02: Film Noir Reader II
Alain Silver
Manufacturer: Limelight Editions
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000N7BO5A

Average customer rating:

a great introduction to learning the art of bobbin lace

An Introduction to Bobbin Lace Making
Rosemary Shepherd
Manufacturer: Lacis Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Puzzles & Games | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
General | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Lace & Tatting | Crafts & Hobbies | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
Look Inside Home & Garden Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
Similar Items:

The Bobbin Lace Manual

Lessons in Bobbin Lacemaking (Dover Needlework Series)

The Book of Bobbin Lace Stitches

Bobbin Lace: An Illustrated Guide to Traditional and Contemporary Techniques (Dover Books on Needlepoint, Embroidery)

The Torchon Lace Workbook: A concise lacemaking course--the basic skills fully explained, with prickings and diagrams for 27 finished lace products. (Color Craft Workbooks)

ASIN: 091689665X

Customer Reviews:

a great introduction to learning the art of bobbin lace.......1998-12-07

If you are just beginning to learn or would like to learn bobbin lace on your own, this is the book for you! Rosemary has explained the basics very well and progresses quickly to more advanced steps right away. Complete graphs, including circular graphs are in the back section for designing your own lace.

Average customer rating:

elder scrolls IV: oblivion

Well worth buying even if you don't own the game

Must Get for Oblivion Owners

Good Guide

Great companion to the Game.

Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion -- Revised & Expanded (Xbox360, PC) (Prima Official Game Guide)
Peter Olafson
Manufacturer: Prima Games
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Strategy Guides | Games & Strategy Guides | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books
Video Games | Games & Strategy Guides | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books
General | Puzzles & Games | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
Video & Electronic Games | Puzzles & Games | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Elder Scrolls IV: Shivering Isles (Expansion): Prima Official Game Guide

Elder Scrolls IV Oblivion

The Elder Scrolls IV: Knights of the Nine

Elder Scrolls IV: Shivering Isles

Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion

ASIN: 076155548X
Release Date: 2006-11-21

Book Description

Find Your Path!

·Detailed maps for every part of the world and every major city, plus special maps for every key section of the main quest.

·Specific chapters on how to create your character and maximize your abilities and skills.

·Over 400 full-color pages packed with information on everything you need to know about the massive gameworld of Oblivion.

·Walkthroughs for every quest in the game, including the main quest, all faction quests, as well as miscellaneous and freeform quests.

·Sections on various gameplay systems including stealth, combat, magic, spellmaking and enchanting, alchemy, and more.

·Detailed bestiary chapter to help you best deal with the denizens of Tamriel and Oblivion.

·Includes new chapters on Knights of the Nine and Oblivion downloadable content.

Customer Reviews:

elder scrolls IV: oblivion.......2007-09-08

it is just as wonderfuly detailed as guide for morrowind was...so ah yeah it's awesome lol

Well worth buying even if you don't own the game.......2007-08-14

The guide is well put together, I borrowed a friends and I had to have my own. If your indecisive on whether or not to get the game after reading this guide and seeing how large and in depth the world of Oblivion is the decision should not be a hard one.....Get the game, get the book in any order.

Must Get for Oblivion Owners.......2007-07-11

This is a great guide. It has info on all the quests in the game. Tons of maps and info on character creation. Buy it.

Good Guide.......2007-05-12

Covers just about everything. Might even be a little too expansive. Some quick view tables instead of all the reading would help.

Great companion to the Game........2007-05-09

This game guide is a great extra if you own the Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion game. I have it for the PS3, but it covers all systems. It has great tips and walk throughs for the entire game. Especially helpful on those areas that you might get caught up on, or if you're just looking for some additional information on areas that you think you might be missing things in. It has very detailed explanations, very easily followed as well as some good screen shots to go along with it. One of the better game guides I've purchased, I Highly recommend getting it if you own the game.

Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Game of the Year: Prima Official Game Guide (Prima Official Game Guides)

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Missing Content

Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Game of the Year: Prima Official Game Guide (Prima Official Game Guides)
Peter Olafson
Manufacturer: Prima Games
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Video Games | Games & Strategy Guides | Computers & Internet | Subjects | Books

General | Puzzles & Games | Entertainment | Subjects | Books

Video & Electronic Games | Puzzles & Games | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0761556273
Release Date: 2007-09-10

Book Description

Find Your Path

·Covers all available content for Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion, Shivering Isles, Knights of the Nine, and downloadable content.
·Detailed maps for every part of the world and every major city, plus special maps for every key section of the main quest.
·Specific chapters on how to create your character and maximize your abilities and skills.
·Over 450 full-color pages packed with information on everything you need to know about the massive gameworld of Oblivion.
·Walkthroughs for every quest in every part of the Oblivion world, including the main quest, as well as miscellaneous and freeform quests.
·Sections on various gameplay systems including stealth, combat, magic, spellmaking and enchanting, alchemy, and more.

Customer Reviews:

Missing Content.......2007-09-22

I have a fairly large issue with it this guide. Many places in the guide say to refer to "Chapter 21, World Map" for more details on a specific map marker number. None of the chapters are numbered, so there is no chapter 21. Additionally, but much more importantly, there appears to be no world map (with or without markers and details) in the guide; I have paged through every single page looking for it. Nor are there maps for every major city (none actually). Detailed world and city maps are specifically pointed out on the back cover of the guide as well as in PrimaGames own decription of the guide as being included.
Without this critical content for a game as massive as Oblivion, this guide is all but useless. There is no way I could recommend this guide to anyone.
I also feel that the content of the guide is misrepresented and falsely advertised by both PrimaGames and Amazon's own description.
Additionally, there is no index included. For a nearly 500 page guide, especially without chapter numbers and a very poorly worded Table of Contents, an index is indispensible.
Beyond the missing content, the remainder of the guide is fairly useful except when it cross references the (missing) map pages.

Average customer rating:

Good History Tainted

A Faithful, Well-Argued Book by a Mormon Historian

** Highly recommended **

Good book on Joseph Smith's early life

Fair and fascinating history of Joseph Smith and the early LDS Church

Joseph Smith and the Beginnings of Mormonism
Richard L. Bushman
Manufacturer: University of Illinois Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Biographies & Memoirs | Subjects | Books
General | Mormonism | Christianity | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
Other Denominations & Sects | Christianity | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
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All Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
Similar Items:

Joseph Smith: Rough Stone Rolling

The Mormon Experience: A HISTORY OF THE LATTER-DAY SAINTS

Early Mormonism and the Magic World View

By the Hand of Mormon: The American Scripture that Launched a New World Religion

Believing History: Latter-day Saint Essays

ASIN: 0252011430

Customer Reviews:

Good History Tainted.......2007-06-25

I decided to purchase and read this book in an effort to find a more historical view of the early period of Joseph Smith's life. I had read reviews that Lyman was a very "fair" writer and stayed "objective". I must admit that I found the first part of the book very interesting. Lyman did a wonderful job of giving the reader an understanding of the family, culture, and background of the period in which Joseph lived.

Then it got bad. About one third of the way through the book Lyman's tone switched to one of historical accuracy to one of wild Smith fanatacism. Lyman spends the rest of the book being completely subjective to the thoughts of your everyday mormon. He at no time tries to remove himself from his belief to portray Joseph in anything other than the perfect light. He spends most of the book criticizing everyone not named Joseph Smith. He even at one point criticizes men for changing their story then two pages later praises Joseph Smith for the same reason. The book becomes a poorly written praise of the life of Joseph Smith. The one upside is that you do get an understanding of how mormons think and, through Lyman, can clearly see abounding hypocrisy.

By the way just in case you were wondering. I do believe Joseph was a chosen prophet and I do believe in the Book of Mormon. If that brings any validity to my review.

A Faithful, Well-Argued Book by a Mormon Historian.......2007-05-24

I agree with another reviewer. "Joseph Smith and the Beginnings of Mormonism" is an interesting and provocative defense of the sacred story. Bushman is an elegant historian with a special skill in defending the faith story. That his arguments are as successful as they are is a measure of his historical versimilitude. While it is an important synthesis, Bushman's book will be acceptable mostly to believing Mormons."

I do admire Bushman for his honesty in praising Fawn Brodie's "No Man Knows My History." "As notable for its journalistic brilliance as for its scholarship, 'No Man Knows My History' presented Riley's arguments and findings in a form more palatable to twentieth century tastes."

Such an honest appraisal would never have happened in the decades following Brodie's 1946 book. It might have even earned Bushman excommunication. Wow, how times have changed.

See my 3-star review of Bushman's "Rough Stone Rolling." Joseph Smith: Rough Stone Rolling I agree that it was brilliantly written and well researched, but it did have some significant errors.

Also see my one-star (less if I could) of Hartt Wixom's "Critiquing the Critics." Critiquing the Critics of Joseph Smith

I also gave one-star reviews to Hugh Nibley's books. Lehi in the Desert, the World of the Jaredites, There Were Jaredites (Collected Works of Hugh Nibley, Vol 5) Since Cumorah: The Book of Mormon in the modern world and An Approach to the Book of Mormon (Collected Works of Hugh Nibley, Vol 6)

Another one-star for: "Echoes and Evidences," a collection of articles edited by Donald W. Parry, Daniel C. Peterson, and John W. Welch. This book earned it's one star. See: Echoes and Evidences of the Book of Mormon

Also one star is John L. Sorenson's book: Images of Ancient America: Visualizing Book of Mormon Life

** Highly recommended **.......2006-09-22

This book was one the easiest to read on the subject of the LDS church history.

Bushman is able to give a thorough and well documented history, without the "sanitising filter" so often applied by Mormon historians. He is not afraid to quote non favourable sources and yet is able to put the reader as ease over less talked about issues.

I was impressed with both the research presented and the style of writing used. Bushman has obviously spent a lot of time and energy sourcing material for this book and yet presents it like a captivating novel. This was both an enjoyable read and yet at the same time extremely informing.

The book starts with the family histories of both Joseph Smith's grandparents, and ends in the year 1831, when the general church membership make the move to Kirtland, Ohio. I assume this was to be the first in a series of books to be written. I look forward to reading "Rough Stone Rolling" by the same author to see how he tackles the post 1831 history.

I highly recommend this book to anyone serious about church history - member and non-member alike.

Good book on Joseph Smith's early life.......2005-09-10

Richard L. Bushman is possibly the best historian on the subject of the Mormons. This book is thoroughly documented. Bushman focuses very much on the culture that Joseph Smith grew up in, he duscusses Joseph Smiths parents and grandparents on how they may have influenced him. Bushman is very honest and objective in his approach to the early life Joseph Smith. Bushman does not get caught up in verifying or disproving the claims of Joseph Smith. Bushman just states the facts and interprets when necessary. Richard Bushman is writing a full biography about Joseph Smith which I believe will become the definitive biography of Joseph Smith. Bushman also gives a very fair explanation on the Book of Mormon which is the most important work by Joseph Smith. I would also recomend reading "Joseph Smith: the Making of a Prophet" by Dan Vogel which covers the same period of Smith's life.

Fair and fascinating history of Joseph Smith and the early LDS Church.......2005-08-29

Bushman, a member of the LDS Church, writes this history of Joseph Smith from Smith's early years through 1831, one year after the founding of the Church. The book starts off slow, with a detailed history of the Smith family moving from place to place. The first two chapters have a few too many lists describing each town: "An 1824 gazeteer credited the town with three gristmills, eight sawmills, one fulling mill, an iron works, five distilleries..." (p. 45).

But the book picks up halfway through chapter two, when we encounter Joseph Smith's first spiritual manifestation. Bushman deals with the spiritual events perfectly: he describes them in the words of the individuals who experience the events, and then he provides extensive cultural context. For example, he explains that the negative reaction of local clergy to Joseph's first vision may well have been because others claimed similar visions around the same time, often justifying a departure in doctrine from established religion. He explains that while Joseph Smith did have a seerstone, such objects were not uncommon among the mixture of magic and religion that prevailed in the day.

The book is wonderfully documented, and many of the footnotes in the back provide additional insights. The book also provides sources for certain stories that I have heard circulating in the LDS Church without knowing where they came from. For example, David Whitmer is our source for the story of Joseph Smith being unable to translate while being annoyed at his wife (p. 104).

The chronology of events is occasionally confusing because Bushman discusses everything about the Book of Mormon and then jumps back in time as he treats everything about the organization of the Church, but this is a minor (and probably unavoidable) drawback. This book is an informative and inspiring read, and I'm glad to have it as a reference in my collection. I look forward to reading Bushman's full biography of Joseph Smith, due out in September 2005.

JOSEPH SMITH AND THE BEGINNINGS OF MORMONISM

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JOSEPH SMITH AND THE BEGINNINGS OF MORMONISM
Richard BUSHMAN
Manufacturer: University of Illinois
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000IZX324

Average customer rating:

Joseph Smith and the Beginnings of Mormonism
Richard L. Bushman
Manufacturer: University of Illinois Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OPT3YA

Average customer rating:

JOSEPH SMITH AND THE BEGINNINGS OF MORMONISM.
Richrd L. Bushman
Manufacturer: University of Illinois Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OPUTN4

Book Description

Beginning with Latin America in the fifteenth century, this book comprises a social history of the experiences of African Muslims and their descendants throughout the Americas, including the Caribbean. The years under slavery are examined, as well as the post-slavery period. The study also analyzes Muslim revolts in Brazil--especially in 1835. The second part of the book traces the emergence of Islam among U.S. African descendants in the twentieth century, featuring chapters on Noble Drew Ali, Elijah Muhammad, and Malcolm X to explain how orthodoxy arose from varied unorthodox roots. Currently Professor of History and Middle Eastern Studies at NYU, Michael Gomez has research interests that include Islam in West Africa, the African diaspora and African culture in North America. He has been involved with the launching of a new academic organization, the Association for the Study of the Worldwide African Diaspora (ASWAD), and has published widely in the field.

Customer Reviews:

Among the many great books (2005) on the indigenous people of Amexem.......2006-01-21

Prof. Gomez has an astute way of presenting a vast amount of information in a composite that flows from prologue to epilogue. Very informative. I would not entirely agree on all his assumptions regarding Noble Drew Ali and his teachings, Drew did not advocate hate vs any people of the earth but taught the Moors to "Love instead of hate", and to be proud of self and one's nationality and identity, putting no one above God, family, and self, however I would highly recommend this book along with "The Huevolution of Sacred Muur Science Past and Present" by Noble Timothy Myers-El

More Revelations.......2005-08-18

From: free-student
Having read many articles and books on the subject of African Muslims in the Americas, I approached Prof. Gomez 'Black Crescent' somewhat complacent. His earlier book 'Exchanging Our Country Marks:' is outstanding indeed with info and data compiled within an intriguing format. It is refreshing to see that Prof. Gomez has again produced a work like 'Black Crescent' with such insight and honesty of historical realities. I can not improve upon what the reviewers have written about this book, I will note them again. "A brilliant, magisterial account of the multifaceted experiences of African Muslims in the Americas", "An encyclopedic book", "A stunning intellectual achievement characterized by enormous learning, judicious conclusions...". Without any reservations 'Black Crescent' is a book for every student of the historical connections between Africa, Americas, Muslims, Islam and slavery.

Book Description

When the cattle-borne sickness known as Mad Cow Disease first appeared in America in 2003, authorities were quick to assure the nation that the outbreak was isolated, quarantined, and posed absolutely no danger to the general public.

What we were not told was that the origins of the sickness may already have been here and suspected for a quarter of a century.

This illuminating exposé of the threat to our nation's health reveals for the first time how Mad Cow Disease (a.k.a. Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy) has jumped species, infecting humans in the form of Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD), and may be hidden in the enormous increase in the number of Alzheimer's cases since 1979.

Detailing the history and biology of Mad Cow Disease, Brain Trust discloses how an investigation into the mysterious deaths in a group of cannibals in a remote part of the world evolved into a research program in the United States that may have had unforeseen and frightening consequences.

The shocking questions examined include:

• Have millions of Americans already been exposed to the prions known to cause Mad Cow Disease through years of eating tainted beef?

• Does the epidemic of prion disease spreading like wildfire through the nation's deer and elk pose a threat to hunters and venison eaters?

• Are the cattle mutilations discovered in the last 30 years part of a covert, illegal sampling program designed to learn how far the deadly prions have spread throughout the nation's livestock and beef products?

Exposing the devastating truth about Mad Cow Disease and a new theory of the possible consequences of a little-known government research program and the potential national health catastrophe that may be the result, Brain Trust inoculates Americans with an effective cure: the truth.

Download Description

"When the cattle-borne sickness known as Mad Cow Disease first appeared in America in 2003, authorities were quick to assure the nation that the outbreak was isolated, quarantined, and posed absolutely no danger to the general public. What we were not told was that the origins of the sickness may already have been here and suspected for a quarter of a century. This illuminating exposé of the threat to our nation's health reveals for the first time how Mad Cow Disease (a.k.a. Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy) has jumped species, infecting humans in the form of Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD), and may be hidden in the enormous increase in the number of Alzheimer's cases since 1979. Detailing the history and biology of Mad Cow Disease, Brain Trust discloses how an investigation into the mysterious deaths in a group of cannibals in a remote part of the world evolved into a research program in the United States that may have had unforeseen and frightening consequences. The shocking questions examined include: . Have millions of Americans already been exposed to the prions known to cause Mad Cow Disease through years of eating tainted beef? . Does the epidemic of prion disease spreading like wildfire through the nation's deer and elk pose a threat to hunters and venison eaters? . Are the cattle mutilations discovered in the last 30 years part of a covert, illegal sampling program designed to learn how far the deadly prions have spread throughout the nation's livestock and beef products? Exposing the devastating truth about Mad Cow Disease and a new theory of the possible consequences of a little-known government research program and the potential national health catastrophe that may be the result, Brain Trust inoculates Americans with an effective cure: the truth. "

Customer Reviews:

Great insight into prion disease.......2007-08-25

This was a great story as well as being enlightening. The last few chapters were a little bit noisy and not as refined as the rest of the book.

The main criticism I have of this book is that it never proves or shows its thesis, which is the "hidden connection between mad cow and Alzheimer's". Never gives any real evidence of it, just hints at it here and there. However, it is very enlightening into the history of prion disease and I'd highly recommend this book since for the most part it stays completely away from pseudoscience and focuses on factual history. I thought this book would make me more paranoid, but actually having a little more understanding made me less paranoid. Although, I will be careful about the type of beef (or any other meat) that I eat and I would never for the life of me eat venison.

Not very original, not very well-written.......2007-07-23

The majority of what's in this book appears to be a rather poor retelling of things wriiten by other authors. For example, much of the discussion of the Fore people and their kuru epidemic seems to be based on Richard Rhodes book, "Deadly Feasts" -- run through a blender and reassembled. Unfortunately, Kelleher's retelling lacks the coherence of Rhodes' work.

The two original themes in "Brain Trust" are:

* The various forms of transmissable spongiform encephalopthy (TSE) in the USA and Canada began with deliberate attempts to infect various species with kuru at the Pautuxent River veterinary facility in Maryland. Kelleher maps out what he claims is the cross-species jump and spread of TSE resulting from improperly-contained and quarantined experimental animals at that facility.

* The cattle mutilations in the western United States are the result of a covert monitoring program (started in the 1970s) trying to track the spread of TSE in wild and domesticated animal populations. He fails to offer any explanation of who might be doing the monitoring, or how they plan to use the information once they've gathered it. Silent helicopters lifting cattle off the ground off the ground for autopsy in the dark of night, then dropping their mutilated carcasses back to the earth. It's all very "X-Files", but I'm not sure what purpose it serves.

There are better books dealing with specific aspects of the TSE story: the particulars of prion infections, the poor record-keeping related to CJD/BSE/Alzheimer's deaths, the Fore tribe and kuru -- all are covered more coherently and in greater detail elsewhere.

Great Research...Few Questions though.......2006-04-22

This is a very well researched and extremely convincing book showing how our nations food supply (and overall wildlife) may have been compromised with an Infectious Protien (Prion). He even convinced me that the cattle mutilations aren't mysterious at all, they are just straightforward monitoring of these Prions. I feel that this information is very important but do have some questions after reading the book such as "what can we do to protect ourselves"...i hope the answer isnt "nothing". The very scary thing that the book points out is that it takes a few years for infected cattle to show symptoms...so a cow with mad cow disease is rarely discovered to be sick before it enters our supermarkets. The other thing about this book is that it is written so well...it reads like a mystery...you just wanna keep turning the pages!

Please Pass the Kuru Burger.......2005-09-26

Whoa! This scientist has written a story that builds with suspense worthy of Hitchcock. If you dine on this planet you will want to know about this. Makes for easy, fun,(in a mad-scientist-horror-film sort of way), but disturbing reading. If this were a ride at Disneyland it would be an 'E' ticket; not for the faint of heart.

damned convincing........2005-04-08

I'm a pretty hard-core skeptic but this book flipped me out. I expected something wild but it appears to be well-documented and convincing -- lots of references and details.

I'd be very interested to see if anyone had good refutations for the material in this book. If not, it would appear that the government has been playing fast and loose with our health and the safety of our food supply... a scary thought!

Book Description

This digital document is an article from Pacific Affairs, published by University of British Columbia on December 22, 1996. The length of the article is 641 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: Asian Perceptions of Nature: A Critical Approach.
Author: Robert S. Anderson
Publication: Pacific Affairs (Refereed)
Date: December 22, 1996
Publisher: University of British Columbia
Volume: v69 Issue: n4 Page: p563(2)

Article Type: Book Review

Distributed by Thomson Gale

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