Henry Ford: The Man and His Motives

Book Description

1923. In this work, the author tried to tell what he saw in Mr. Henry Ford. He tried to get at Ford's motives. He tried to get into Ford's heart. He tried to picture Ford first of all as a human being with his family and his friends. Then the author tried to set forth Ford's business ideals and principles by direct quotations that came from his own lips and his own heart. Stidger tried to be Biblical in his dealing with this man. Ford is human like the rest of us and has his faults, but the author confesses that he did not go to Mr. Ford to search out his faults and failings. He may have them. All Stidger knows is that no taint has ever sullied Ford's name.

Average customer rating:

Henry Ford: The Man and His Motives
William L. Stidger
Manufacturer: George H. Doran Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000OLURZ8

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The Human Behind The Glamour

Still, they loved him

A loving tribute to Divine from his mum

The big picture

WHAT MAKES A STAR?

My Son Divine
Frances Milstead , Kevin Heffernan , and Steve Yeager
Manufacturer: Alyson Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Similar Items:

Not Simply Divine

Divine Trash

Crackpot: The Obsessions of John Waters

Divine Live at the Hacienda/ Shoot your shot

Shock Value: A Tasteful Book About Bad Taste

ASIN: 1555835945

Amazon.com

No mother wants to watch her son eat dog poop, as Frances Milstead, mother of the gifted actor and outrageous drag persona Divine (1945-1988) would agree. Divine asked her not to see the John Waters film Pink Flamingos, in which the unforgettable poop-noshing scene occurs, and she has abided by his wishes. To her credit, though, she proudly describes the scene and its aftermath, in which Divine's friends overheard him calling an emergency room to ask what diseases his 12-year-old son might have picked up from eating a dog turd ("Yes, well, he's a little retarded."). Clearly Milstead is no ordinary mother. Page after page she provides a remarkably unembarrassed view of her son's adventures on and off screen. With amusing childhood details for true devotees of Divine, plenty of new photos, and judicious quoting from other sources, such as John Waters and his friend and producer Pat Moran, My Son Divine serves as a corrective to Bernard Jay's harshly drawn Not Simply Divine, and offers a warm, entertaining version of the drag star's life. --Regina Marler

Book Description

This remarkable biography-written by Divine's mother Frances Millstead, with Kevin Heffernan and Steve Yeager, the award-winning filmmakers whose documentary film Divine Trash won the Filmmakers Trophy at the 1998 Sundance Film Festival-reveals a never-before-seen side of the internationally renowned actor and drag performer. As she tells of his childhood, their long estrangement, and a heart-warming reconciliation before his death, Frances Millstead brings a mother's love and insight to the story of Glenn Harris Millstead, who would shock his way to international stardom as Divine, the star of John Waters cult films Female Trouble, Pink Flamingos, Polyester, and his breakthrough hit, Hairspray. Following him as he grows from angelic choirboy to troubled teen to flamboyant adult, this account reconciles for the first time the two sides of Divine-outrageous performer and loving son-as the legendary star's humanity is lovingly and movingly revealed through words and heretofore unpublished photos.

Features:

Hundreds of previously unpublished photographs.

8 page full color insert

Marketing Plans:

Bookstores: Posters, Postcards, Tattoos

Media targets: Entertainment Weekly, People Magazine, US Weekly, Premiere, Vanity Fair. NPR national and affiliate programs. Network morning shows.

Advance reader copies available.

Frances Millstead lives in Florida, wher she is active in a variety of civic and religious groups and works to increase acceptance for the gay and lesbian members of the Southern Baptist Convention. Kevin Heffernan is assistant professor of cinema at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, where he lives with his wife and daughter. Steve Yeager is the director of Divine Trash, On the Block, and In Bad Taste. He lives in Baltimore.

An Excerpt

Thursday, October 18, 1945, was a beautiful fall day. The doctor had told me I would give birth around the 19th. I decided to go to my mother-in-law's house so I wouldn't be alone if I went into labor. Harris dropped me off there on his way to work. Mom and I prepared dinner, and we talked and laughed about my having the baby. I was

Customer Reviews:

The Human Behind The Glamour.......2007-04-02

When you think of glamour you automaticly think of the most beautiful "woman" in the world: the 300+ pound monstrosity, Divine! Yet there was a side to HIr that few saw or understood. This book is written by HIr mother.

Harris Glenn Milstead was the shy overweight femboy who was constantly teased as a child.

Fate brought him into the universe of the budding gay director, John Waters. It took John's warped psyche and Glenn's perfectionism to create the glorious persona, Divine. The result shocked and overjoyed millions and millions of moviegoers and students of the bizarre. Yet in private, Glenn was still the shy femboy who was extremely personal and generous. His only flaws were his love for food and marijuana.

After being enstranged from his parents for years, they finally reconciled and shared out remaining years close and personal. Glenn's star was at last rising and he was being noticed as a great and talented character actor in his own right, apart from the grossout persona, Divine. Yet, as he was preparing for a permanent role in the series 'Married with Children, fate took him from us. Tipping over 400 pounds, he had an All-American heart attack in his sleep.

Few actors can match Glenn's exuberance and hunger for life and humorous good times. He had more talent in his little finger than most actors have in their entire lifetimes. It is sad that he was taken from us right when he was on top of his game. Yet, thank God, we still have the movie records of him and his joys and talents to gross us out and make us feel good.

Get to understand Glenn in ways deeper than him wearing outrageous drag and eating dog spoor for the camera. Read this book and open your mind to the other who made us love him so much through talent, hard work and his outageous antics on film!

Still, they loved him.......2004-04-14

Do not presuppose that this is the story of Divine -- although it is certainly part of the story. Written by Divine's -- Glenn Milstead's -- mother, it is truly her story to tell.

What does it mean to be a mother? What dreams and hopes do we have for our children? More importantly and to the point, what is it that we learn from our children?

If we are open to loving them unconditionally, we can learn a great deal. And there is much to learn from Glenn Milstead's mother's love, and from her own learning experience.

It's an odd relationship, to be sure, with years of estrangement and healing. In the fifties, children did not just "come out" in some youth group and attend regular summer Pride festivals. Mothers of the fifties did not have those kind of expectations -- and the sixties were a wake-up call all around.

But Frances loved her son, and struggled with her confusion. In spite of everything and anything he did that would cause more timid souls to faint dead away, Frances and Harris continued to lend Glenn money they would never see again, absorb credit card bills for exhorbitant expenses they had never approved, and support the lavish habits of a man they didn't understand. Still, they loved him.

As he unfolded into that love, the most extraordinary creature emerged. Who was Divine? No drag queen, for sure, for drag queens seek to soar to great heights as fabulous beauties. No beauty was Divine -- and yet, no more beautiful creature could have emerged from that soul.

Without Divine, there would have been no RuPaul. Still, Divine made us think about the nature of femininity, beauty, and love. He exuded it all in a place one would not expect to find it.

We live in a world full of miracles, and we all too often close the door on them because they are beyond our comprehension. Take the time. This is one human being who is truly a Divine miracle.

...geminiwalker

A loving tribute to Divine from his mum.......2003-03-24

I first saw Divine in the film "Pink Flamingos" and I thought he was the most amazing screen presence I'd ever seen. I immediately became a fan, and I followed Divine's career until his sudden death in 1988. Divine is a cult figure--probably best known for his bizarre roles in the films of renegade director, John Waters. Divine's film roles include: Lady Divine ("Multiple Maniacs"), Babs Johnson ("Pink Flamingos"), Dawn Davenport ("Female Trouble"), Francine Fishpaw ("Polyester"), and Edna Turnblad/Arvin Hodgepile ("Hairspray"). Divine was a persona created by John Waters, and the Divine character was so successful that the persona stuck to Glenn Milstead--the actor who played Divine--for the rest of his life.

"My Son Divine" is the biography of Glenn Milstead, and it's a loving tribute written by his mother, Frances Milstead. While she makes no apologies for her son, she admits she did not known the intimate details of his life. Those details do not concern her, and she stands firm in her belief in Glenn's talent. The author states that Glenn was first and foremost an actor--very talented and very committed--and that Glenn in real life was quiet, modest, and a good friend--the complete opposite of Divine persona that led Glenn to fame.

This book--unlike many biographies written by non-professionals is well written. It touches on problems Glenn had in school, teenage friends, Glenn's brief career as a hairdresser, how Glenn became estranged from his family, etc., but the bulk of the book includes interviews with those who knew Glenn best--director and friend, John Waters, roommate Jay Bennett, designer Zandra Rhodes, and many, many others. Through these interviews, the reader is able to piece together a composite of the real man behind the drag queen identity.

The book also covers Divine's singing career as he hit the nightclub circuit in Europe, and there are lots of photographs--a 5-year-old Glenn, Glenn's first appearance in drag, Glenn as Divine, and Glenn as himself. The strongest point that the author makes us that Glenn had a professional attitude towards his work. Interviews detail long days on the set, grueling make-up sessions, and Glenn mastering his moves on the trampoline for the film "Female Trouble." In spite of the fact that Glenn was very aware of the physical dangers, he perfected his trampoline somersault (weighing over 300lbs and jumping in drag).

The book also includes a handy-dandy reference guide to all of Glenn's films, CDs, and even includes a list of tribute CDs. Reading the book gives the fan a better picture of the man behind the make-up. The Divine character is larger than life, bold and daring--a complete individual, and to become Divine, Glenn Milstead overcame many personal problems and finally succeeded in his career and in his life. He loved to shop, loved to eat, and he loved to make people laugh. He died just as he tasted fame. "My Son Divine" is a must-read for any fan--displacedhuman

The big picture.......2002-07-25

This is a refreshing look at a wonderful entertainer and person. Ms. Milstead manages to provide a straight-forward account of Divine's life. She readily includes the good and not so perfect aspects of her son. She provides an insider perspective on Divine that we have not seen. Ms. Milstead's inclusion of quotes from those closest to her son truly fleshes out who Glenn Milstead really was. This book is highly recommended for fans of Divine as well as others who don't know much about this incredible person. Thanks to his mom, we know more about Divine.

WHAT MAKES A STAR?.......2002-03-21

WHAT TRULY MAKES A PERFORMER A STAR? IS IT LEGIONS OF FANS? MILLIONS IN THE BANK? EMMYS AND OSCARS ON DISPLAY IN THEIR MANSIONS? NO. IN MY OPINION, WHAT TRULY MAKES A PERFORMER A STAR IS A PERSON WITH THE ABILITIES TO INDELIBLY IMPRINT THEMSELVES/THEIR WORK INTO THE MINDS' OF THEIR AUDIENCE - AND THAT IT WHAT DIVINE DID BEST.

THIS IS AN EXCELLENT BOOK WRITTEN BY HIS MOTHER, ETC., THAT GIVES YOU THE TRUE STORY OF ONE OF HOLLYWOOD'S MOST INFAMOUS OF STARS. FRANCES MILSTEAD DOESN'T SUGARCOAT ANYTHING HERE. SHE PUTS THE GOOD TIMES, AND THE BAD TIMES (AND EVERYTHING IN-BETWEEN), HERE IN PRINT FOR ALL TO SEE. THERE REALLY IS NO NEED FOR ANY OTHER DIVINE BIOGRAPHY TO BE WRITTEN IN THE FUTURE, FOR EVERYTHING YOU WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT DIVINE (BUT WERE ALWAYS AFRAID TO ASK), IS RIGHT HERE IN THIS BOOKS' PAGES. AND, AS AN ADDED TREAT, THERE ARE MANY, MANY RARE PICTURES OF DIVINE (IN FULL GLOSSY COLOR) IN ALL OF HIS WONDERFUL GLORY HERE TO BE SEEN. A MUST HAVE FOR ANY DIVINE FAN.

WE LOVE YOU DIVINE!!!

Book Description

Fascinating menagerie of 6 easy-to-use stencils: lion, bear, moose, wolf, panda, and rhinoceros. Children will learn not only the names of the animals but their distinguishing characteristics as well. Ideal for classroom projects and creative pretend-play fun at home.

Customer Reviews:

Cardstock, but cute.......2007-05-13

This is a book with 4x6 cards that you can tear out. Made out of cardstock, each card has one animal on it, along with the name of the animal. My girls enjoy these.
Since each card is one animal, small animals appear as big as large ones, which could be problamatic if you wanted to make a realistic scene using more than one of them.
Good for pencils and crayons, okay for markers, cannot be used with paint.

Average customer rating:

REALLY,REALLY GOOD

Awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It's SO LAZY!!!

Excellent service and excellent book

Just amazing

Pokemon Emerald (Prima Official Game Guide)
Levi Buchanan
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
Pokémon | Popular Characters | Children's Books | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Pokemon Ruby & Sapphire (Prima's Official Strategy Guide)

Pokemon Fire Red & Leaf Green (Prima Official Game Guide)

Pokemon Emerald Version

Official Nintendo Pokemon Emerald Player's Guide

Pokemon Diamond & Pearl: Prima Official Game Guide (Prima Official Game Guides)

ASIN: 0761551077
Release Date: 2005-04-26

Book Description

It's a Team Aqua and Team Magma rematch!
·Tips for collecting the 200 + 2 Pokémon to complete the Hoenn Pokédex
·How to clear all 7 Battle Frontier arenas and get the Silver Symbols
·Detailed walkthrough guides you through story mode
·Maps cover every region, including all-new, as-yet-unexplored areas
·Field, Battle, and Contest moves lists, plus Items list
·How to play Pokémon Emerald with Pokémon Ruby and Pokémon Sapphire, Pokémon FireRed and Pokémon LeafGreen, and Pokémon Colosseum

Customer Reviews:

REALLY,REALLY GOOD.......2007-08-08

This guide is good because it tells you how to do things. It has great maps and tells you where to get items. It gives great tips to get legends. Good PokeDex which people always complain. It really helps you find the Pokemon. BUY THIS!!!!!!!

Awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.......2007-08-03

this book is very useful for beating the initial game, and it provides sufficient info on how to catch the legendary pokemon. overall, it is a very good guide for beginners, and veteran pokemon gamers.

It's SO LAZY!!!.......2007-04-02

I remember the days when Prima guides for Pokemon were amazing. Nowadays they've gotten amazingly lazy.

For starters, none of the trainers are listed or what pokemon they have, so it's hard to know if someone on the map is a trainer or just a person with advice.

Secondly, most of the maps are from Ruby/Sapphire!!! I can tell because I compared them with my Ruby/Sapphire guide, and they are exactly the same on most routes. Most routes in emerald, though, have some stuff changed, mainly small graphical details, but in many routes there are lots of new trainers, which the map doesn't even show!!!

The guide is also laid out very poorly, as whenever you need to revisit an area, it's not in the next page of the guide, but rather you have to flip back to the section where you first visited the area and look around for the section that talks about what you need to do. This makes it very easy to miss parts of the game that aren't required to actually beat the elite four, and I know I've missed a few things.

My advice: get the Nintendo Power guide or just use the online IGN guide if you need a good walkthrough.

Excellent service and excellent book.......2007-01-16

I received this book on time for Christmas. My son thanked Santa for this gift. he likes it very much...

Just amazing.......2007-01-12

My 7 year old son was really suprised. Loves this book. Learned more english from this book than at school:)).

And finally : how it is possible that I received a package after only 10 days from purchase?? Amazing - faster than local mail in some cases:)).

Pokemon Emerald Version Prima Official Game Guide, Complete Hoenn Pokedex

Average customer rating:

Pokemon Emerald Version Prima Official Game Guide, Complete Hoenn Pokedex

Manufacturer: Prima Games
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Pokémon | Popular Characters | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

Books | Pokémon | Amazon.com Stores | us-stores
ASIN: 0761551670

Book Description

As anyone who has undergone the transition from civilian to soldier will tell you, basic training is a lot tougher and more challenging than any recruit can imagine. Michael Volkin discovered that fact soon after 9-11, when his personal vow to serve my country convinced him to enlist in the U.S. Army.

As Volkin quickly discovered, he was utterly unprepared for the new world of the military, "a completely different environment full of unknown exercises and acronyms, where can't eat or talk without permission. Volkin began taking notes on everything and anything with the hope that no one else would have to go through basic training like I did completely unarmed with knowledge that would have eased my transition into the military and allowed me to be more successful.

During Operation Enduring/Iraqi Freedom, Volkin organized his notes, interviewed hundreds of other soldiers, and began to write. The result is The Ultimate Basic Training Guidebook, a unique and utterly indispensable guide to successfully coping with and thriving in today's military.

The Ultimate Basic Training Guidebook is a comprehensive, practical, and easy-to-follow survival guide written specifically for every new or prospective recruit about to enter any branch of the armed forces. Volkin's book offers step-by-step instructions and solutions, including helpful charts and graphics, for how to prepare both physically and mentally for boot camp. It includes a special eight-week fitness program specifically designed to improve your fitness test scores, specific study guides, an instructional How to"chapter, a list of what to bring (and not to bring) to basic training, tips for success, and much more.

The Ultimate Basic Training Guidebook was written by a soldier for men and women who want to become soldiers. No one should enter boot camp without having read this book.

Customer Reviews:

Not army boot camp anymore..........2007-09-07

This book has been super helpful in preparing my husband for boot camp- physically and mentally. The only problem is that we've learned that after the publishing of this book a lot changed in army boot camp. At first my husband was interested in joining the national guard, but in order to go to a boot camp like what is described in this book, he has to choose a different branch of military.

amazing..........2007-02-19

This book was packed with info that will benefit anyone interested in going into the militry. My hubby went through boot camp a few years ago and said that all of the info would have made life a little easier then...lol.

Incredible.......2007-01-17

This book has helped me in so many ways. I knew nothing about the military before I left for boot camp. Now, I feel I am completely ready. The book has an easy to understand fitness routine and told me what to expect mentally from a drill sergeant, even the other recruits. This book even contains a packing list so I know exactly what to pack for boot camp.
Before I was scared to leave for basic, now I cant wait.

Decent Book For Ultra-Noob.......2007-01-17

First off, there are many inaccuracies in this book which is odd considering it was written by a SGT (sergeant). The book is not as good as it could be but it's better than any other book on the military out there - as far as getting through basic training.

Overall, it's a helpful book because it will familiarize you with the Army and basic training. The Army is changing quick so some of the info is not relevant.

I'm a veteran of the Army and I think it could be beneficial. I'd recommend talking to recent basic training graduates and ask your recruiter lots of questions. There's also great info on the Army recruiting websites now.

Where Was This Book in 1965? .......2006-09-15

I always felt that my basic training experience back in 1965 would have been much better had I known something about what I was going to endure. Now, modern day Army recruits have at their finger tips, "The Ultimate Basic Training Guidebook" for surviving "boot camp"; and this is no exaggeration! Author Sgt. Michael Volkin has done a very creditable job of capturing all the needed information to survive basic training.

He gives you insights and how and why things happen and what you can do ahead of time to prepare yourself for that experience. I guarantee that if you follow his advice as outlined in his book that basic training will be much easier physically and emotionally for you. The keys from his many words of wisdom are to be prepared and to expect the unexpected.

This book is an absolute must for new basic trainees. It can make all the difference between failing mentally or physically and successfully enduring the training. Good photos illustrate physical exercises that will prepare you for the physical needs of basic. The guidebook also gives a good overview of what you should expect to happen from the time you arrive at your basic training facility and reception to graduation week. It takes you step by step through the whole program of training. More importantly, he gives the recruit some good personal advice on how to keep a low profile and stay out of trouble with your "Drill Instructors".

For those of us "old school" Army veterans from Nam or before --it is interesting to note that your DI can no longer physically hit you and kick you or punch you. Gone are the good old days of brutal and unrestrained Army training; but it still doesn't mean that it is any easier to complete. There are those physical elements of running and push-ups and sit-ups that will always continue to challenge new recruits.

Sgt. Volkin has broken his book into logical chapters that are both easy to read and understand. If you are going into the Army you will find this book even more helpful if you get your hands on a copy and read it prior to reporting. It will give you an edge over others. Your confidence will also be enhanced because you will actually be ahead of the game and will know more than the average recruit.

The Ultimate Basic Training Guidebook: Tips, Tricks, and Tactics for Surviving Boot Camp

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The Ultimate Basic Training Guidebook: Tips, Tricks, and Tactics for Surviving Boot Camp
sgt. Michael volkin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000V0CLMO

Average customer rating:
Perspectives from the Past: Primary Sources in Western Civilizations, Second Edition, Volume 2: From the Early Modern Era through Contemporary Times

Manufacturer: W. W. Norton & Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | World | History | Subjects | Books
jp-unknown1 | Specialty Stores | Books
All Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
Similar Items:

Western Civilizations, Volume 1, Fourteenth Edition

Western Civilizations, Single Volume Edition, Fourteenth Edition

Western Civilizations, Volume 2, Fourteenth Edition

Behind the Urals: An American Worker in Russia's City of Steel

Western Civilizations: Vol. 2, Fifteenth Edition

ASIN: 0393978222

Book Description

From the ancient near east to contemporary times, Perspectives from the Past offers a rich variety of sources both familiar and fresh. The reader contains excerpts from classic texts by Plato, Aquinas, Machiavelli, Descartes, Marx, and Mill and includes substantive representation of women writers, such as Anna Comnena, Hildegard of Bingen, Madame Roland, Flora Tristan, Emmeline Pankurst, Vera Brittain, and Elizabeth Robbins.

Perspectives from the Past offers a wide selection of readings from all regions of Europe, including Venetian ambassadors' reports; excerpts from Mickiewic's Books of a Polish Nation and Its Pilgrimage; Czar Alexander II's Edict of Emancipation of 1861 freeing the serfs; the Constitution of the Black Hand, the Serbian nationalist group instrumental in the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand; and In Search of Splendor, Constance de la Mora's account of the Spanish Civil War.

Also included are non-European writers whose works have made an impact on Western thought, among them Ibn Khaldun, Ibn Battutah, Luiz Vaz de Camoes, Bernal Diaz del Castillo, and Mahatma Gandhi.

Average customer rating:

Learn and have fun reading "THE VALUE OF SCIENCE"

Poincare is interesting, often wrong, but generally clear

A Great Book By A Great Man

The Value of Science: Essential Writings of Henri Poincare (Modern Library Science)
Henri Poincare
Manufacturer: Modern Library
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Science | Subjects | Books
General | History & Philosophy | Science | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Science and Method

Science and Hypothesis

The Psychology of Invention in the Mathematical Field

The Mathematician's Mind

The Science Of Mechanics - A Critical And Historical Account Of Its Development

ASIN: 0375758488
Release Date: 2001-10-02

Book Description

More than any other writer of the twentieth century, Henri Poincaré brought the elegant, but often complicated, ideas about science and mathematics to the general reader. A genius who throughout his life solved complex mathematical calculations in his head, and a writer gifted with an inimitable style, Poincaré rose to the challenge of interpreting the philosophy of science to scientists and nonscientists alike. His lucid and welcoming prose made him the Carl Sagan of his time. This volume collects his three most important books: Science and Hypothesis (1903); The Value of Science (1905); and Science and Method (1908).

Customer Reviews:

Learn and have fun reading "THE VALUE OF SCIENCE".......2004-12-30

In a first reading of "THE VALUE OF SCIENCE", it may look like that Poincaré works' main contribution was to expose the science in XIX. But looking further the surface, you can realize his great influence in the work of important scientists from the last century (i.e. Einstein, Heisenberg and Bohr, for instance). In "THE VALUE OF SCIENCE" and "SCIENCE AND HYPOTHESIS" there are lots of insights about Relativity, Uncertainty Principle, Correspondence Principle, Mathematics Incompleteness, etc. If in one hand we have that Poincaré approached lots of genius questions and his answers are no longer seen as right, on the other hand, as himself have said, some mathematicians let themselves be guided by intuition, making some quick achievements, even insecure ones, as if they are daring knights in the front line.

Poincaré is not just the greatest science philosopher of all times ever and an outstanding genius as a mathematician and a mathematical physicist, he was also elected to the Académie Francaise in 1909, what is a proof that reading "THE VALUE OF SCIENCE" is a delighted and funny duty.

Poincare is interesting, often wrong, but generally clear.......2002-12-21

This volume is a handy collection of three of the most important books he wrote for general consumption. The translation is clear, and the 19th/early 20th century flavor of the writing comes through without sounding archaic.

A Great Book By A Great Man.......2001-10-27

Some historical figures are known to all cultured persons. Leo
Tolstoy, Johannes Brahms, Vincent Van Gogh -- these are names of
which most of us would be embarrassed to be ignorant. On the
other hand, few of us would think to add the name of Jules Henri
Poincare to this list; and yet, if we did, it would tower over
all the rest. For Poincare was a mathematician of the very
highest rank, an astonishingly fertile creative genius whose
prescient insight and technical mastery utterly transformed the
art to which he devoted his life. Among his predecessors in the
three-thousand-year history of mathematics, only Archimedes,
Newton, Euler, and Gauss can be said to have equalled or
exceeded him. By any standard, Poincare was one of the truly
great.

If for no other reason than this, THE VALUE OF SCIENCE is well
worth reading. It is, after all, quite rare to find a book that
collects the thoughts of one of the very few genuinely profound
intellects in human history. But what makes THE VALUE OF
SCIENCE truly wonderful is that it is not merely worth reading:
it is, in fact, a joy to read. For in addition to his uncanny
mathematical gifts, Poincare had the knack of expressing
himself beautifully in writing. Even in translation, his prose
has an admirable lucidity and grace, and his aphoristic style
often makes him highly quotable. When he speaks of mathematical
creation, as he does in a celebrated essay of that name, he
offers general readers a fascinating glimpse into the depths
of his own extraordinary mind at the peak of its imaginative
frenzy; his (scrupulously non-technical) account of one of his
greatest mathematical discoveries supplies an unforgettable
intellectual thrill, a sort of electric shock for the soul. For
anyone interested in the psychology of creation, this is simply
irresistible stuff.

A final brief caveat: although Poincare was clearly the greatest
mathematician of his time, he was not the greatest physicist. A
curious wrong-headedness kept him from beating Albert Einstein
to the creation of special relativity, and general relativity
eventually proved Poincare wrong in some of his opinions on the
relation between physics and geometry. So when Poincare speaks
of physics, bear in mind that some of his positions no longer
seem really tenable.

But this is no reason not to read every word of THE VALUE OF
SCIENCE. It's a marvelous book, and its author was a marvelous
man. Get to know them both. You'll be glad you did.

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