The Jamaican Tax Reform

Book Description

Another long-awaited Weird Melvin trade paperback, but this one reprints the original comic strips that were published weekly for two years in the Comics Buyer's Guide in the early 1990s. This one's also full of monster pummeling, hot cars, hot babes, giant, horny maggots, crazed, comic book fanboys, depraved witches, plus tons of other weirdos. This huge collected volume of Weird Melvin comic strip is in a standard comic strip 8" x 8" format and will fly off the shelves! New full-color wraparound cover and 128 pages of black and white interior art all by creator Marc Hansen.

Customer Reviews:

"Holy Hog-Wild Humpers!".......2004-10-21

After takin' a liking to Marc Hansen's "Ralph Snart" comics (check out the Ralph Snart TPB, Vol. 1 at www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0974520519/qid=1098332071/sr=8-1/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i1_xgl14/102-8646183-3962510?v=glance&s=books&n=507846 ), I decided to check out some of Mr. Hansen's other published works. The appropriately titled "Weird Melvin", featuring the bizarre misadventures of a monstrous monster hunter and his fanboy young'un buddy as they dispatch freaky-lookin' monsters in grotesquely funny ways, seemed good a place as any to start. So I gave this particular tome-- a collection of all the "Weird Melvin" strips that originally appeared in the weekly Comic Buyer's Guide back in 1992 and `93-- a look. While I didn't find this collection of freaky cartoon goodness gut-bustingly funny, I did manage to crack a smile or two at, this odd tribute to "for-the-love-of-the-hobby" comic-book collectors and the renderings of "Rat Fink" creator Ed "Big Daddy" Roth combined with a satirical spin on the infamous EC horror comics of the 50s thrown in for added silliness.

While I had a good time readin' this "Weird" funnybook, its format isn't quite perfect. Due to the relatively small size of the panels, I had a little trouble reading the captions and word balloons. On the upside, this tome has the best print quality I've ever seen in a NOW Comics TPB release; there aren't any vertical pinstripe lines or blank splotches where the plate didn't get a full press on the page during the printing process. Yep, it looks like NOW is finally puttin' some real money into the whole printing thing... which might explain this 50-page-long (NOT the 128 pages the product page blurb states) softcover tome's fifteen-smacker price tag! `Course, I guess I can't personally complain about the cover price, seein' as how I got hooked up with this for nary a penny (thanks, big guy!)...

`Late

Book Description

From airline food, bagpipes and Barney to soggy cereal, telemarketers and warts, here is the first A-to-Z, illustrated compendium of everyday annoyances--complete with truly informative scientific explanations and wry commentary.

When it comes to aggravation, it's the little things that count. Car alarms, fingernails on a blackboard, having a song stuck in your head, cookie mush at the bottom of your coffee cup, mosquitoes, mimes, chain letters--and those silly curtains between First Class and Coach, what are those about?

The Pocket Encyclopedia of Aggravation is a unique tour through the things that drive us crazy, full of fascinating details about their inner workings, causes, remedies and histories. Deadpan cross-sections, diagrams, and technical drawings bring such things to life as VCRs that flash 12:00-12:00-12:00 and the sound waves created by nails on a chalkboard or crinkly candy wrappers.

Customer Reviews:

Chuckles and giggles........2006-06-30

The book was great, it's fun to share it with other's who look like they could use a pick me up at the coffee shop.

The errors do however, jump off the page at me, as I edit for a living.

Other than that, I'd recommend it.

For the record. respiratory tract

respiratory tract
n : the passages through which air enters and leaves the body
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, Inc.

respiratory tract
The air passages from the nose to the pulmonary alveoli, including the pharynx, larynx, trachea, and bronchi.
The American Heritage Stedman's Medical Dictionary

Respiratory Track with a 'K', is infact in error, correctly put, it is a Tract, with a 'T'.

carry it with you.......2004-05-26

This book is a real hoot. I take it with me when I travel and when people see me reading it they invariably ask me about it.

Most of these are serious aggravations but handled in a typicaly British humourous fashion. Some entries are less serious such as:

Why is the your destination always on the fold of your map?

Using the equation P = A/mn = 2b(2/m + 1/n - 4b/mn), scientists determined there is a better than 50-50 chance your destination on a map will fall into the Murphy Zone - after Murphy's Law - around the edge of the map or in the crease

This and other hilarious gems is a sure fire conversation maker.

Aggravations and Semantics.......2003-05-05

Using the word "aggravation" in the sense of "annoyance" is not incorrect. While most dictionaries list the first definition of "aggravation" as "to make things worse," they also list as a second or third defnition the use of "aggravation" as a synonym for "annoyance." The American Heritage Dictionary, for example, gives the definition of aggravation as: 1. The act of aggravating or the state of being aggravated. 2. A source of continuing, increasing irritation or trouble. 3. Exasperation. The Cambridge Dictionary lists a definition of "aggravation" as "adj informal annoyance." So this use of "aggravation" is accepted.

As for mispelled words in the text, I would not use that as a guage of how well or poorly a book is researched. After the author writes a book, it goes through the hands of several editors. This book has copius notes at the end that point to a great deal of research including scientific journals and personal interviews. This seems relatively uncommon for this type of light entertainment reference.

Incidentally, "respiratory" is the correct spelling according to Mirriam Webster, The Cambridge Dictionary of American English, Webster's Revised Unabridged, and The American Heritage Dictionary which I have here at my desk.

very enjoyable.......2003-02-08

I very much recommend this book. It was a quick read on my daily train commute and I actually resented getting off the train and walking home (it is difficult to read in the dark while you're walking). However, I found a few things "aggravating" about it.
First, the term "aggravating" is being misused here since the word is not synonymous with "annoying", which would have been the correct one to use. "Aggravating" means getting or making something worse but it has become one of those slang words currently en vogue (similar to "impact", which has lately become an annoying substitute for "affect"). Second, there are at least half a dozen misspelled words in the book (not typos, mind you, but misspelled words - the difference being that misspelled words are spelled that way on purpose, and for the wrong reason).
One example is "respiratory track (sic)". These misspelled words are distracting and do not inspire confidence in the thoroughness of the research.

Nevertheless, my overall evaluation of this book is overwhelmingly positive and I can't wait for the sequel (quite a few more annoying things I can think of!)

informative and hilarious!.......2002-07-12

This book is awesome, not only does it discuss the things that aggravate and irk is, but Laura Lee goes in depth and explains the reason and science behind them, from crinkly candy wrappers to lost luggage to slow drivers in the fast lane! I enjoyed this book and its humor so much, I hope Laura Lee writes another book on the things that aggravate us!

Book Description

In 1957 Ghana became one of the first sub-Saharan African nations to gain independence from colonial rule. Over the next decade, hundreds of African Americans--including Martin Luther King Jr., George Padmore, Malcolm X, Maya Angelou, Richard Wright, Pauli Murray, and Muhammed Ali--visited or settled in Ghana. Kevin K. Gaines explains what attracted these expatriates to Ghana and how their new community was shaped by the convergence of the Cold War, the rise of the U.S. civil rights movement, and the decolonization of Africa.

Book Description

Malcolm St. Clair was a master director of sophisticated silent comedy. This book traces his career, beginning with his start as a Mack Sennett Keystone Kop.

Space Travel - July 1958 - Vol. 5, No. 4

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Space Travel - July 1958 - Vol. 5, No. 4
Edmond; Chandler, A. Bertram; St. Clair, Margaret; Smith, Malcolm Hamilton
Manufacturer: Greenleaf Publishing Co.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000J5MZD6

Andragogy revisited: Theory for the 21st century (Myths and realities)

Average customer rating:

Andragogy revisited: Theory for the 21st century (Myths and realities)
Ralf St. Clair
Manufacturer: ERIC Clearinghouse on Adult, Career, and Vocational Education, Center on Education and Training for Employment, College of Education, the Ohio State University
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding

Adult & Continuing Education | Education | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
ASIN: B0006S5F74

POSSIBLE WORLDS OF SCIENCE FICTION: Enchanted Village; Lilies of Life; Asleep in Armageddon; Not Final; The Pillows; Propagandist; In Value Deceived; Space Rating; Limiting Factor; The Helping Hand

Average customer rating:

POSSIBLE WORLDS OF SCIENCE FICTION: Enchanted Village; Lilies of Life; Asleep in Armageddon; Not Final; The Pillows; Propagandist; In Value Deceived; Space Rating; Limiting Factor; The Helping Hand
Groff (editor) (A. E. van Vogt; Malcolm Jameson; Ray Bradbury; Isaac Asimov; Margaret St. Clair; Murray Leinster; H. B. Fyfe; John Berryman; Clifford D. Simak; Poul Anderson) Conklin
Manufacturer: Berkley Medallion
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000ITU2YM

Average customer rating:

POSSIBLE WORLDS OF SCIENCE FICTION: Enchanted Village; Lilies of Life; Asleep in Armageddon; Not Final; The Pillows; Propagandist; In Value Deceived; Space Rating; Limiting Factor; The Helping Hand
Groff (editor) (A. E. van Vogt; Malcolm Jameson; Ray Bradbury; Isaac Asimov; Margaret St. Clair; Murray Leinster; H. B. Fyfe; John Berryman; Clifford D. Simak; Poul Anderson) Conklin
Manufacturer: Berkley Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000GVT7AM

Book Description

Much of recent theory has characterized life in media-sophisticated societies in terms of a semiotic overload which, allegedly, has had only devastating effects on communication and subjectivity.

In Architectures of Excess, Jim Collins argues that, while the rate of technological change has indeed accelerated, so has the rate of absorption. The seemingly endless array of information has generated not chaos but different structures and strategies, which harness that excess by turning it into forms of art and entertainment. Digital sampling in rap music and cyber-punk science fiction are well-known examples of techno-pop textuality, but Collins concentrates on other contemporaneous phenomena that are also envisioning new cultural landscapes by accessing that array--hyper-self-reflexivity in mall movies, best sellers, and prime-time television; the deconstructive vs. new-classical debate in architecture; the emergence of the "New Black Aesthetic;" the development of retro-modernism in interior design and the fashion industries. The analyses of these disparate, discontinous attempts to develop a meaningful sense of location, in an historical as well as a spatial sense, address a cluster of interconnected questions: How is the array of information being "domesticated?" How has appropriationism evolved from the Pop-Art of the sixties to the sampling of the nineties? How has the relationship between tradition, innovation, and evaluation been altered? Architectures of Excess investigates how these phenomena reflect change in taste and subjectivity, considering how we must account for both, pedagogically.

Architectures of excess : cultural life in the information age

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Architectures of excess : cultural life in the information age

Manufacturer: Routledge
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000H5YL0I

Average customer rating:
Greyspace (Advanced Dungeons & Dragons/Spelljammer Accessory SJR6)
Bruce Nesmith
Manufacturer: TSR
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Puzzles & Games | Entertainment | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

The Astromundi Cluster (Spelljammer Game Accessory 1087)

Krynnspace (Advanced Dungeons & Dragons/Spelljammer Accessory SJR7)

Under the Dark Fist (Advanced Dungeon & Dragons/Spelljammer Module SJA4)

Crystal Spheres (Advanced Dungeons & Dragons/Spelljammer Module SJA3)

Realmspace (Advanced Dungeons & Dragons/Spelljammer, SJR2)

ASIN: 1560763485

Book Description

Create presentation-quality reports and complex, interactive analysis documents both on and off the Web with help from this thorough resource. Learn to use this powerful reporting tool to develop and design reports, make maps, tables, and charts, and much more. Produce visually appealing reports quickly and effectively, extract and present data from SQL databases, download ready-to-use sample report templates. Get the information, advice, and tools you’ll need to conquer the learning curve and produce winning reports and report-based applications.

Customer Reviews:

Not as helpful as I hoped. .......2006-08-03

The book seemed to be geared towards Crystal 9 and not Crystal XI. I had purchased XI at the same time. The book was not a large book and half of it contained an extensive glossary of terms. Very unneccessary as this information is found in many places.

Thanks
Bonnie

Good tips - but lots of repetition.......2006-06-15

The author of this book is also the author of the various editions of the standard 'Crystal Reports: The Complete Guide' book. This book tries to pick up where that book left off--in other words, this book tries to be a resource for intermediate to advanced users.

The book does present numerous interesting tips and a few really useful strategies for report development. However, the examples are not particularly thorough and there simply are not enough of them to really cover the breadth of the product. If used as an "idea-generator" book for a mid-level developer it would be useful, but it is not a comprehensive guide to advanced techniques.

As other reviewers have already mentioned, about half of the book is just reprinted information from the electronic help files that are included with Crystal Reports. Of course having them nicely organized and bound in printed form is very useful--but the book is pretty pricey for a simple reference manual.

I read and enjoyed the book, I learned a few things and it gave me some ideas, but in general it was a bit dissappointing. If work's buying it for you--great! If it's your own money--well, you might wish you hadn't spent it.

Very valuable.......2004-04-08

Like vitamins - read one a day for better reports. Glad I bought this book.

Disappointing Read.......2004-01-20

This is a disappointing read. Half of the book is the reference material from the help files and the other half is random report design techniques that don't fit together. Give this one a pass.

Superbly organized and very highly recommended.......2003-11-13

Crystal Reports Professional Results, by George Peckis a superbly organized and very highly recommended resource which provides a wealth of tips, ticks, and techniques on the creation and presentation of expert quality reports and complex, interactive analysis documentation both on and off the Web. George Peckis is particular adept at explaining just how to develop and design reports, make maps, tables, and charts, extract and present data from SQL databases, download ready-to-use sample report templates, and so much more.

Average customer rating:
On the Edge of Splendor: Exploring Grand Canyon's Human Past
Douglas Wright Schwartz
Manufacturer: School of Amer Research Pr
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Reference | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

Living at the Edge : Explorers, Exploiters and Settlers of the Grand Canyon Region (Grand Canyon Association)

Over the Edge: Death in Grand Canyon

ASIN: 9990641676

Book Description

Drawing on a lifetime of research, Douglas Schwartz illuminates the archaeology of the Grand Canyon while showing the reader one man's voyage of discovery in the greatest of American monuments.

On The Edge Of Splendor - Exploring The Grand Canyon's Human Past

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On The Edge Of Splendor - Exploring The Grand Canyon's Human Past
Douglas W. Schwartz -
Manufacturer: School O American Research Publishing -
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000PRV53E

Customer Reviews:

Genious in a nutshell.......2005-03-30

This book is pure genious, focusing on the important issue of nations, identity and borders, specifically the Franco-Spanish border as it was deliniated from the 17th century onward. This is a fascinating account. Most would say that the pyrennes offer an ideal border and they would be correct, but how the nations were able to imprint national idenitities on the clannish localities of the mountains is fascinating reading on a subject most of us would never deighn to think important. A fun and important account, fascinating, ingenious and one of a kind in its originality.

Seth J. Frantzman

Fascinating study of territories and national identities.......2000-07-12

The Pyrenees boundary between France and Spain began in 1659 as a pretty arbitrary line, but over the course of the next two centuries it was worked out as a national border locally. Sahlins studied the Cerdanya, a valley in the Pyrenees split between France and Spain, and shows how localism formed national identities that were necessary for delineating the boundary.

According to Sahlins, the changes that took place to form the France/Spain boundary were not only a formation of national identity, but also a change in the governments' views of sovereignty, moving from an idea of jurisdiction and dominion over subjects, to territorial control. He shows how policy in the Cerdanya reflected this change from jurisdiction to territory, the change from frontier land to a true boundary.

Sahlins' book is a fascinating look at what makes a nation, and a microcosmic study of the formation of the modern nation-state. His study of the Cerdanya gives the book insights, not just into governmental state-building, but also the construction of identity, the necessity of boundaries for people to define themselves in opposition to the other.

Average customer rating:
Boundaries: The Making of France and Spain in the Pyrenees
Peter Sahlins
Manufacturer: University of California Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OTQWQI

Customer Reviews:

VERY GOOD BOOK, except..........1998-07-10

I learned to programming Common Lisp using Tanimoto's book (in conjunction with Winston Horn's "Lisp"). The book's writing is superb, and the examples are very well thought out and implemented.

One word of caution: the book was written before the complete standardization of Common Lisp. So some of the functions, such as those specific to I/O and FEXPR will not work on current Common Lisp implementations (such as GCL). But all of these functions can be worked around easily.

I'll still give this book a five star. The book is particularly good for self-study. So I recommend it to any AI enthusiast.

A very broad treatment of AI Fundamentals.......1997-11-09

Tanimoto provides a very broad treatment of AI techniques. As such dicussions are often brief. There is an outstanding section on Computer vision. Knowledge representation is also well covered. The author presents highly idiomatic examples of Lisp code. This book would be ideal for anyone not familiar with AI techniques who wants to do AI research and/or development.

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