Moral Sentiments and Material Interests: The Foundations of Cooperation in Economic Life (Economic Learning and Social Evolution)

Book Description

Moral Sentiments and Material Interests presents an innovative synthesis of research in different disciplines to argue that cooperation stems not from the stereotypical selfish agent acting out of disguised self-interest but from the presence of "strong reciprocators" in a social group.

Presenting an overview of research in economics, anthropology, evolutionary and human biology, social psychology, and sociology, the book deals with both the theoretical foundations and the policy implications of this explanation for cooperation. Chapter authors in the remaining parts of the book discuss the behavioral ecology of cooperation in humans and nonhuman primates, modeling and testing strong reciprocity in economic scenarios, and reciprocity and social policy. The evidence for strong reciprocity in the book includes experiments using the famous Ultimatum Game (in which two players must agree on how to split a certain amount of money or they both get nothing.)

Customer Reviews:

Well written, easy to read, informative.......2007-09-19

Moral Sentiments and Material Interests: The Foundations of Cooperation in Economic Life (Economic Learning and Social Evolution) combinds the theory of cultural evolution ala Boyd and Richerson (and Henrich et al) and the behavioral economy by people like Gintis, Bowles and Fehr. The book works further based on the theory - develops e.g. models for a better social policy etc.

Book discusses an issue which is very central for "being a human being" - co-operation. Book is very informative, very well written even if there are many writers with heterogenous background. Also after the book you kind of get more optimistic about the prospects of humananity.

I am without any formal education in antropology, biology and economics but have read "everything" by Boyd and Richerson - my understanding on economics is based on Microeconomics by Samuel Bowles.

The book was to me a good further reading after the Bowles Microeconomics book. But the book can be read even by someone who does not know about economics even that much as me. The book is not too formal - easy to read actually.

An eclectic collection of great essays.......2007-06-08

This book is just really great. The literature on fairness and reciprocity in social science is growing fast, and this book is ideal to give you a flavour of why this is such a good thing. It is diverse, with entries ranging from biological models that attempt to explain the evolution of reciprocity, through the implications of reciprocity for the way legal sanctions work, to the political philosophy of the dark side of clan mentality.
Most readers will probably not want to read everything, and even less people will agree with everything. One needs to remember that a lot of the stuff in this book is still controversial, including the existence of (strong) reciprocity, but this is what makes it so very interesting. And if only half of what's in this book is right, it is still revolutionary.
In 10 years, this book will be terribly outdated. But for now, it is the best thing you can get if you are interested in the interplay between evolution, reciprocity and social order, and the fundamental questions of social science that it entails.

Fairness and Sociability.......2006-05-08

For several years now, a group of social scientists has been studying the human tendency to be socially fair rather than narrowly selfish. The editors of this volume--Herbert Gintis, Samuel Bowles, Robert Boyd, and Ernst Fehr--are among the stalwarts; others are found among the authors of the book's chapters.
The core of this long-running effort is Fehr's experiments with the ultimatum game, in which two people must share a sum of money (say, $10); Person A gets to propose a split, Person B can only accept or decline. Economists and politicians would expect every game to wind up with a $9.99/$0.01 split (or actually a 9-1 split, since bills are used), but in fact typical splits are more like 5-5 or 6-4, and in one place (Lamalera, Indonesia) people actually split something like 4-6, few A's ever claiming even half the money. This long-running set of experiments around the world adds to a vast, rapidly accumulating set of data showing that people are sociable, not "rational" in the folk-economic sense (i.e., dedicated solely to narrow material self-interest). The present book discusses the implications for economics and politics. If people are naturally concerned with fairness, narrowly economistic policies can be counterproductive; we all know cases of "crowding out," in which a material incentive actually makes people act worse, by crowding out moral incentives. If you reward people for being good, they will think it's all a cynical game, and will act worse. Punitive legislation to make people do what they do anyway (for moral reasons) is also counterproductive. Imagine what these realizations would do to American social policy.
The problem with this book is that it is too optimistic and upbeat. The downside of human sociability is confined to one page, late in the book (p. 388), where racism, honor killing, and the like get a quick mention. Alas, the morning radio brings a stream of accounts not only of such things but also of religious butchery all over the world--Christians, Muslims, Hindus, and even Buddhists (theoretically prohibited from killing but busily genocidal). This brings us back to Adam Smith's suggestion that greed may not be lovable but may be better than the noble, virtuous alternatives. I hope Gintis et al work on how to decouple fairness and interpersonal concern from the desire to exterminate everybody who is not in one's immediate social set. Until this is done, the hope purveyed in this work will remain thin.
The authors note that humans seem genetically programmed to have at least some sense of fairness and of self-sacrifice for the common good, but they wisely refrain from trying to unpack "hereditary" and "environmental" or "cultural" aspects. Heredity makes us do this, and learn it easily, and heredity gives us the ability to learn and develop cultures. No way to unpack. Still, more needs to be done on just how flexible these inborn moralities are. The range from Lamalera to certain parts of South America is pretty great. So is the range of murderousness in religious and ethnic settings. We need to know how to modify human behavior in these regards, and how much we can hope for.
That being said, this book is the best yet in the long list of books that devastate the selfish-individualist model of human behavior. People desperately want to be sociable, and be good members of their society. This may lead them to fairness and generosity, or to body-piercing, or to suicide bombing. This book offers hope for building new societies through use of innate human decency. At this point in time, any book seriously offering such hope is desirable.

Moral Sentiments and Material Interests: The Foundations of Cooperation in Economic Life (Economic Learning and Social Evolution)

Average customer rating:

Moral Sentiments and Material Interests: The Foundations of Cooperation in Economic Life (Economic Learning and Social Evolution)
Herbert; Bowles, Samuel; Boyd, Robert T.; Fehr, Ernst Gintis
Manufacturer: The MIT Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OR4BNQ

Book Description

Other than the evaluation sheets that participants turn in at the end of a training session, most instructors receive very little feedback on how they are doing and where they can improve. But, their growth and development depend on more than the reactions of their learners. Professional expertise and established standards for classroom performance should be applied.

That's why TAP was created. It measures an instructor's relative strengths on key skills, generating a Proficiency Profile that pinpoints developmental needs and defines the competencies critical to the effective delivery of training. TAP is a 3-hour video-based program for instructors and course designers to assess 12 key instructional skills, identify needs and opportunities, and form Individual Development Plans.

The 12 Competencies

• Assessing Needs and Entering Behavior
• Analyzing Participants and Situations
• Applying Classroom Facilitation Skills
• Maintaining Adult Relationships
• Building toward Transfer Training
• Managing Classroom Time Effectively
• Setting Objectives and Terminal Behavior
• Eliciting Relevant Responses and Testing
• Forming Questions and Probes Effectively
• Giving Feedback and Reinforcement
• Getting All Learners to Participate
• Displaying Good Flow, Logic, and Organization

The Complete TAP Package includes
One Facilitator's Guide with
• One VHS videocassette containing a class in session and a discussion and critique by Dr. Scott Parry
• How-to-administer TAP booklet containing guidelines for running the TAP program
• The video script for analysis
• Handouts of scoring your TAP responses
• One Participant Workbook with Scoring Guide, Response Sheet, The Feedback and Critique portion of the script, and Individual Development Plan

Book Description

In today's world, we are witnessing simultaneous breakthroughs in reproductive technologies, genomics, and molecular biology. Advances in molecular genetic technology and understanding of the bovine genome have led to the development of tools that can be used to enhance profitability on cow-calf enterprises. Factors Affecting Calf Crop: Biotechnology of Reproduction provides a detailed compilation of current and forthcoming technology for managing reproduction in cattle. The book discusses topics such as: approved techniques for controlling the estrous cycle in cattle; managing follicular growth with progesterone, estrogens, and prostaglandins; freezing, thawing, and transfer of cattle embryos; application of embryo transfer to the beef cattle industry; embryo transfer in topically adapted cattle; new factors affecting bull fertility; embryo collection and utilization technology, in vitro fertilization, somatic cell cloning, and genetic technologies; uses of real-time ultrasound; and sexed semen. Over 25 leading animal scientists have combined their expertise to produce the first single-source reference that covers successful reproductive techniques that will, most likely, be the wave of the future. Expansive in scope, the book addresses current biotechnologies as they impact the production of beef cattle. Written at a level to appeal to the researcher, commercial producer, or student, Factors Affecting Calf Crop: Biotechnology of Reproduction presents you with a wealth of technologies applicable to animal agriculture.

Genetic Improvement of Cattle and Sheep (Cabi Publishing)

Average customer rating:

Get This Book

Genetic Improvement of Cattle and Sheep (Cabi Publishing)
G. Simm
Manufacturer: CABI
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Biotechnology | Biological Sciences | Science | Subjects | Books

General | Science | Subjects | Books

Animal Husbandry | Agricultural Sciences | Science | Subjects | Books

General | Veterinary Medicine | Medicine | Subjects | Books

All Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
ASIN: 0851996426

Book Description

Humans started domesticating farm livestock over 10,000 years ago. For much of this time, livestock have been changed genetically by subjective means. In the past 50 years, the application of scientific methods to animal breeding has led to major improvements in the output, cost and quality of animal products in the last few decades. This book describes the principles of genetic improvement of farm livestock and the practical application of these principles to dairy cattle, beef cattle and sheep breeding. Originally published in 1998 by Farming Press.

Customer Reviews:

Get This Book.......2000-01-23

This is one of the best books I have read on genetic improvement of livestock. It covers everything from basic molecular genetics to statistical analysis of genetic progress. It gives a lot of terrific examples and I think anybody who is entertaining the idea of breeding livestock or working with livestock should definitely read this book. It is much more interesting than all of the old Animal Science books that have a lot of photographs of Showring Winners and little applied science. Get This Book!

Animal Genetic Resources Data Banks 2: Descriptor Lists for Cattle, Buffalo, Pigs, Sheep, and Goats (Fao Animal Production and Health Paper)

Average customer rating:

Animal Genetic Resources Data Banks 2: Descriptor Lists for Cattle, Buffalo, Pigs, Sheep, and Goats (Fao Animal Production and Health Paper)

Manufacturer: Food & Agriculture Org
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Genetics | Evolution | Science | Subjects | Books

General | Science | Subjects | Books

Breeding Services For Small Dairy Farmers: Sharing The Indian Experience

Average customer rating:

Breeding Services For Small Dairy Farmers: Sharing The Indian Experience
C. T. Chacko , and F. Schneider
Manufacturer: Science Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Science | Subjects | Books

Animal Husbandry | Agricultural Sciences | Science | Subjects | Books

Average customer rating:

Cattle Genetic Resources

Manufacturer: Elsevier
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Genetics | Evolution | Science | Subjects | Books

General | Science | Subjects | Books

Animal Husbandry | Agricultural Sciences | Science | Subjects | Books

Food Animals | Veterinary Medicine | Medicine | Subjects | Books

General | Veterinary Medicine | Medicine | Subjects | Books

Book Description

Genetic adaptations for particular husbandry conditions of cattle is the subject of this book. This timely presentation of vast genetic knowledge corresponds to the urgent present need of conservation for new genetic engineering programmes and applications of genetic adaptation for practical livestock production.

Genetic Aspects of Dairy Cattle Breeding

Average customer rating:

Genetic Aspects of Dairy Cattle Breeding
Ivar Johansson
Manufacturer: University of Illinois Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000O1N02K

Genetic Improvement of Cattle in Southern Mediterranean Climates (European Association for Animal Production Publications, No 47)

Average customer rating:

Genetic Improvement of Cattle in Southern Mediterranean Climates (European Association for Animal Production Publications, No 47)
Mohamed Taieb Belhadj , and Jean-Louis Tisserand
Manufacturer: Wageningen Pers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Science | Subjects | Books

Crop Science | Agricultural Sciences | Science | Subjects | Books

French | Foreign Language Nonfiction | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

Nonfiction | French | Foreign Language Books | Specialty Stores | Books

Professional & Technical | French | Foreign Language Books | Specialty Stores | Books

All French Books | French | Foreign Language Books | Specialty Stores | Books
ASIN: 9022010104

Average customer rating:

The Genetics of Cattle

Manufacturer: CABI
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Genetics | Evolution | Science | Subjects | Books

General | Science | Subjects | Books

General | Agricultural Sciences | Science | Subjects | Books

Animal Husbandry | Agricultural Sciences | Science | Subjects | Books

Equine Medicine | Veterinary Medicine | Medicine | Subjects | Books

General | Veterinary Medicine | Medicine | Subjects | Books

All Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
ASIN: 0851992587

Book Description

Breakthroughs in understanding the genetics of animals are making headlines worldwide. However, many issues remain unresolved, despite the remarkable progress. This volume collects up-to-date research on the genetics of cattle, a field of immense economic and political importance, particularly with the discovery of "Mad Cow" disease. Topics covered include domestication, common breeds and their origin; morphological traits and inherited disorders; immune response and disease resistance, including bovine spongiform encephalopathy; development and reproductive technologies and transgenics; and genetic resources, conservation and improvement. It will be an invaluable resource for anyone studying genetics and contemporary methods in animal breeding.

Muscle Hypertrophy of Genetic Origin and Its Use to Improve Beef Production (Current Topics in Veterinary Medicine)

Average customer rating:

Muscle Hypertrophy of Genetic Origin and Its Use to Improve Beef Production (Current Topics in Veterinary Medicine)

Manufacturer: Springer
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Medicine | Subjects | Books

General | Veterinary Medicine | Medicine | Subjects | Books

General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

Animal Husbandry | Agricultural Sciences | Science | Subjects | Books

Advanced Cell Technology also reports cloning 24 cows without defects.(Brief Article): An article from: Transplant News

Average customer rating:

Advanced Cell Technology also reports cloning 24 cows without defects.(Brief Article): An article from: Transplant News

Manufacturer: Transplant Communications, Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital

General | Business & Investing | Subjects | Books

General | Science | Subjects | Books

Science & Technology | Subjects | e-Docs | Formats | Books

Book Description

This digital document is an article from Transplant News, published by Transplant Communications, Inc. on November 28, 2001. The length of the article is 1895 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: Advanced Cell Technology also reports cloning 24 cows without defects.(Brief Article)
Publication: Transplant News (Newsletter)
Date: November 28, 2001
Publisher: Transplant Communications, Inc.
Volume: 11 Issue: 22 Page: NA

Article Type: Brief Article

Distributed by Thomson Gale

Customer Reviews:

Nice pictures.......2006-12-18

The book has some great photos and some helpful tips. A nice general introduction to these snakes

Average customer rating:

Wonderful photography, little else.

Wrong Item

For All Lovers of Sailboats

Misleading Publishing Information

This book would be cheap at twice the price!

The World's Best Sailboats: A Survey
Ferenc Mate
Manufacturer: Albatross
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Ships | Transportation | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
Boat Building | Ships | Transportation | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books
General | Sailing | Water Sports | Sports | Subjects | Books
General | Sports | Subjects | Books
All Titles | Qualifying Textbooks - Fall 2007 | Stores | Books
Similar Items:

The World's Best Sailboats, Volume 2

The Complete Guide to Choosing a Cruising Sailboat

Best Boats to Build or Buy

Used Boat Notebook: From the Pages of Sailing Magazine, Reviews of 40 Used Boats Plus a Detailed Look at Ten Great Used Boats to Sail Around the World

The Finely Fitted Yacht: The Boat Improvement Manual, Volumes 1 and 2

ASIN: 0920256112

Book Description

The World's Best Sailboats has become the most cherished and respected illustrated sailing book of all time. Its unique format includes over 400 spectacular color photographs by the world's leading nautical photographers coupled with astutely presented technical information on the best and most beautiful sailboats manufactured. Máté's insistence on uncompromising quality and his always engaging, entertaining style make this a timeless work and must-reading for anyone interested in sailboats. Its encyclopedic scope covering all aspects of sailboat design and construction, gleaned from personal visits to the world's best boatyards and interviews with the leading builders and designers, gives us not only a feast for the eyes and the stuff of dreams but also a thorough education.

Máté visited the world's best boat builders from Finland to Italy, from Maine to California, and in his book evaluates and describes the sailboats of the nineteen best yards. The text is full of technical information on design and construction of available boats, while the magnificent color photos celebrate the beauty of sailboats and fine craftsmanship. His writing, as always is both informative and entertaining.

Customer Reviews:

Wonderful photography, little else........2006-10-27

Since this book covers boats that are now several years old, it is perfect for those searching for a used cruising sailboat. You can pour over a dozen designs and make your own conclusions about it's strengths and weaknesses. Most of the boats in this book include an engineering drawing, this is very helpful if your boat manufacturer is no longer in business.

The only real problem with this book is that it reads like a "boating" magazine. You get the feeling the author is trying to sell the boat rather than review the boat.

Wrong Item.......2006-03-03

When I went on-line to order the book that I wanted I specifically asked for Vol II. I received instead Vol. 1. Because this was a birthday gift for my husband I tried again for the Vol II book and PAID for shipping so that I would get the book in 2 days.

I still do not have my refund credited for the above book, although I received an email saying that I was credited.

For All Lovers of Sailboats.......2005-01-04

A beautiful book that will give heart palpitations to those who love sailboats. The photographs are fantastic and the writing insightful. There are also some very candid interviews with the different builders. As Máté says, this is not a definitive list, but a list of beautiful and really well built boats from builders with a unique perspective on sailing. Consequently, several genres of sailing are presented. This book is best purchased with "The World's Best Sailboats, Volume 2." The were some deletions and additions between the two volumes. Some of these were due to the requirement that the builder still be in business. I think others were due to builders being less focused on building a quality boat. Also, there are no custom boats reviewed, which is why you don't see any aluminum, steel or cold-molded boats.

To make Máté's list, it seems a boat builder not only had to build a seaworthy vessel, but one that was also a joy to sail and beautiful to look at. While some may argue that the autopilot does not care how the boat sails and beauty means durability and low maintenance, for those who really love sailing these attributes can never be ignored. I own an Alden 44, which is featured in this book. I can say that it measures up in every way. I've been caught in 45 knots with steep 10' plus seas off the coast of North Carolina and sailed downwind on a warm, 10 knot breeze on Little Bahama Bank. Regardless of the conditions, the boat performed beautifully. Despite having an autopilot, I somehow find myself taking the helm when sailing close-hauled; there is no better feeling than to be on the wind in a fine yacht. And once in harbor, people always come over and comment on how beautiful my boat is.

The boats on Máté's list may seem to be all about bragging rights, but this is not so. Sailing is hard work and is often uncomfortable. If you are greeted by an ugly boat that sails like a pig every time you come down the dock, what pleasure will there be when you are cold, tired, and wet? It is the difference between Slocum's Spray, in which he circumnavigated in a near continual state of ecstasy, and Chichester's Gipsy Moth IV - a temperamental boat that had a knack for directing water into the cabin and refused to sail for more than a couple of hours unattended. It was only through Chichester's will and determination that he completed, albeit bruised and battered, his circumnavigation.

Misleading Publishing Information.......2004-01-05

This book was not first published in 2001, as suggested by Amazon's information, so what is offered is either a second edition or there is a typo in the date of publication. Some of the manufacturers are no longer in existance (as pointed out by another reviewer), and Vol. II of this book was published in 2003 with updated reviews of most of the boat builders covered in Vol I.
Yes, it is a stunning picture book, no, it is not of the slightest use for any other purpose, and even as a picture book it does not equal or compare well with Vol. II.

This book would be cheap at twice the price!.......2000-06-04

This is an absolutely gorgeous book. The photography is awesome! It is a "dreambook." You would not look through it in order to choose a boat. Most of them would only be available as used boats in any case. You buy this book for your coffee table, because you love fine, beautiful yachts!

Ferenc Mate has done a remarkable job, bringing together some of the finest sailing yachts, designed by the world's best naval architects and built by some of the best yards. The boats are described in the text, and the building techniques and history discussed, and line drawings presented of the plans, buttock lines, sailplans and accommodations. But, the most striking feature of the book is the exquisite photographs, many of which were made by Mate himself (photographic credits are listed on page 281.)

One does not need to be a yacht owner to love such vessels, or to love this book. However, I have been a yacht owner. I built my own, in my back yard: a ketch-rigged (two-masted) trimaran, the Wild Goose, document number 516550 Net 11. She was a 36' beauty, with a 20' beam that took me four years to build and all the money in the world. We sailed her and lived on her for a couple of years in the Pacific.

Anyone who has ever longed for their own boat will want this fine book to dream over. Such dreams can and do come true. Take my word for it, they do!

Joseph Pierre,
Author of THE ROAD TO DAMASCUS: Our Journey Through Eternity

Average customer rating:
The World's Best Sailboats : A Survey

Manufacturer: Albatross Publishing House
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000GWSOLY

Average customer rating:
World's Best Sailboats: A Survey.
FERENC MATE
Manufacturer: See notes
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000RQRND4

Average customer rating:
The World's best Sailboats; a survey

Manufacturer: W.W. Norton
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000I2TR1I

Book Description

“Make [your] characters want something right away—even if it’s only a glass of water. Characters paralyzed by the meaninglessness of modern life still have to drink water from time to time.” — Kurt Vonnegut

“‘The cat sat on the mat’ is not the beginning of a story, but ‘the cat sat on the dog’s mat’ is.” — John Le Carré

Nothing is more inspiring for a beginning writer than listening to masters of the craft talk about the writing life. But if you can’t get Vladimir Nabokov, Virginia Woolf, and Gabriel García Márquez together at the Algonquin, The Modern Library Writer’s Workshop gives you the next best thing. Stephen Koch, former chair of Columbia University’s graduate creative writing program, presents a unique guide to the craft of fiction. Along with his own lucid observations and commonsense techniques, he weaves together wisdom, advice, and inspiring commentary from some of our greatest writers. Taking you from the moment of inspiration (keep a notebook with you at all times), to writing a first draft (do it quickly! you can always revise later), to figuring out a plot (plot always serves the story, not vice versa), Koch is a benevolent mentor, glad to dispense sound advice when you need it most. The Modern Library Writer’s Workshop belongs on every writer’s shelf, to be picked up and pored over for those moments when the muse needs a little help finding her way.

Customer Reviews:

A good buy for the serious beginner.......2007-05-14

You will find, when you start shopping for books on fiction writing craft, that there are many of them. Most are well-intentioned but you will only read them once and the verdict will be: "Thanks for sharing."

Stephen Koch's title is one that many working authors of my acquaintance dip into frequently. It is a motivational work as much as a writing guide, but don't underestimate the value of such a cattle prod, especially if you can't quite find your way into your masterpiece or you are trying to develop your writing as a beginnner.

Perhaps more than people in highly structured occupations, authors can fall prey to procrastination, fruitless self-questioning, and creative blanks. Author, Stephen Koch comes at his subject from the position that a writer writes and that a story reveals itself as the writers works on it. After more than twenty years as an editor and fiction author, I am inclined to agree with him. I have found that his small volume delivers some thoroughly practical advice while at the same time prompting the writer to get on with the process of writing.

Throughout the book, Koch offers quotes about the craft from notable authors. Some people seem to find these inspiring and interesting, and believe they can learn something from accomplished peers. A few I've spoken with do not welcome this content and wish Koch had focused more on craft methodologies.

While he covers various bases, it's certainly true that other guides will offer a much more thorough technical treatment of character, narrative, plot etc. Yet, writing is not all about a "correct formula". One of the most helpful aspects of Koch's approach is that of mentoring. He strikes a careful balance between prodding, practical help, introductory information about technique, ways into a writing mindset, and the fundamentals of good story-telling. His is the style of an accomplished teacher with a passion for his subject.

If you are looking for a highly technical guide to the craft, this may not be your best choice. I recommend this title to the serious beginner who would welcome some commonsense practical guidance, along with motivational material, and to the seasoned author who enjoys reading what notables have to say about certain topics. There are trendier works available, and those that are more specific and technique-focused, but this is among the best of the broad, general guides.

Encouraging and Inspirational.......2007-01-03

This book has provided fuel for my recently withering desire to write. I often need a kick in the rear end and I found the boot I needed in this book. The book does not get very technical but does give the writer the right path to follow in all aspects of writing. Koch did his research and provides literally hundreds of inspirational quotes from many of the great writers we all know and love. Koch makes you believe he is on your side in the battle. Not everything will be absorbed on the first read but I don't think it was meant to work that way. This isn't necessarily a how-to book. Advice and encouragement is given but it is clear your own way must be paved.

Not done reading, but alreadying in love.......2006-09-17

Maybe this book isn't new info, but it is to me. It has already opens my eyes real wide and I'm so happy that I can acsess the storys in my mind now! I'm not making them up and that makes me happy!

some gems but mostly old stones.......2006-08-12

Koch uses so many other writers and his own refined method to push the writer in two different ways. The first part of the book focuses on what we so often need: motivation. He's not afraid to tell the reader to put down the book and get to work. Sometimes this is exactly why I turn to books on craft. Koch certainly motivates, but when he turns finally to craft he stumbles some. It could be that switching modes is difficult for the reader, but he can only lay out so many edicts, so many quotes from other writers or books on craft, before everything begins to sound familiar. There are some gems there, but they are hard to find among so many plain ol' stones.

A Paper Classroom.......2006-02-25

This work is helpful in that it provides many comments from famous writers on the craft of writing besides the author's own vast experience teaching the art and structure of writing. It is like attending a writer's workshop or seminar but from the comfort of your living room and at a pace you find helpful for your own needs. No book is the ultimate guide or resource to help young writers (of any age), each person has their own needs and areas of strength, but this book will help and is recommended. Other than that, try reading as many literary classics as you can, good readers make good writers. Besides, what the devil is there to watch on TV anymore...reading is an old and loyal friend.

Average customer rating:

Probabilities pulled out of nowhere

There are many better books on probability

"Probability" is not a four-letter word!

What luck is all about!

CHANCE

Chance: A Guide to Gambling, Love, the Stock Market, and Just About Everything Else
Amir D. Aczel
Manufacturer: Thunder's Mouth Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Curiosities & Wonders | Fun Facts | Reference | Subjects | Books
General | Science | Subjects | Books
Probability & Statistics | Applied | Mathematics | Science | Subjects | Books
Statistics | Applied | Mathematics | Professional Science | Professional & Technical | Subjects | Books
Look Inside Reference Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
Similar Items:

Descartes's Secret Notebook: A True Tale of Mathematics, Mysticism, and the Quest to Understand the Universe

The Mystery of the Aleph: Mathematics, the Kabbalah, and the Search for Infinity

Chances Are . . .: Adventures in Probability

Struck by Lightning: The Curious World of Probabilities

Fortune's Formula: The Untold Story of the Scientific Betting System That Beat the Casinos and Wall Street

ASIN: 1560257946

Book Description

In Chance, celebrated mathematician Amir D. Aczel turns his sights on probability theory—the branch of mathematics that measures the likelihood of a random event. He explains probability in clear, layman's terms, and shows its practical applications.

What is commonly called luck has mathematical roots and in Chance, you'll learn to increase your odds of success in everything from true love to the stock market. For thousands of years, the twin forces of chance and mischance have beguiled humanity like none other. Why does fortune smile on some people, and smirk on others? What is luck, and why does it so often visit the undeserving? How can we predict the random events happening around us? Even better, how can we manipulate them? In this delightful and lucid voyage through the realm of the random, Dr. Aczel once again makes higher mathematics intelligible to us.

Customer Reviews:

Probabilities pulled out of nowhere.......2007-06-19

This book started out somewhat interesting with high-level discussion of the basics of probability. A nice refresher course of things I imagine most people reading this book already know. Things started to heat up with a neat and surprising example of how many people in one room it takes to have a high probability of two people having the same birthday (26 - can you believe it?!). The explanation and back-up statistics were detailed and easy-to-understand.

Then, when it started to get into more interesting topics such as love and the stock market, there was much less statistical back-up. In most cases the explanation was along the lines as follows: "Important people doing complicated research have said you should date 45 people before you find your soulmate." While that is an interesting factoid, I purchased a book on chance to see the statistics and math behind the numbers, not just for cocktail reception fodder.

The book felt organizationally incoherent and quickly jumped from topic to topic with little introduction leading into or conclusion smoothly summarizing individual "lessons".

There are many better books on probability.......2007-05-28

A short book describing in non-technical terms some standard topics in mathematical probability -- e.g. gambler's ruin, coincidences, birthday problem, secretary problem. The writing style is reasonably clear and accurate. But this type of material has been covered in many other books with more breadth and flair, not to mention value for money. Read instead Rosenthal Struck by Lightning: The Curious World of Probabilities.

"Probability" is not a four-letter word!.......2007-05-12

Amir D. Aczel, Chance: A Guide to Gambling, Love, the Stock Market, and Just About Everything Else (Thunder's Mouth Press, 2004)

Chance. If you play poker, the ponies, the market, you're well acquainted with it. Or, if you don't, consider the truism that you risk your life every morning when you walk out of your house. What are your chances of getting struck by a bus? Or by lightning? How about that you'll get mugged? Or find a hundred-dollar bill in the gutter? No, Amir Aczel won't actually tell you the probabilities of these things happening, but reading this will likely make you think a lot more about such things.

Chance covers a lot of the same ground as Clio Cresswell's Mathematics and Sex, but from a more, shall we say, platonic viewpoint. If you've read one, you're going to be seeing a lot of familiar stuff, but some things don't overlap, so both are well worth your time. Recommended. *** ½

What luck is all about!.......2006-05-02

Surely, this book about propability is written for the
layman. But even if you are little more expert than that,
it is quite good. I certainly enjoyed walking through memory lane
in theory that I once learned in a probability course at
University.
The examples are many - and very thought provoking. From
time to time the theory is only touched upon lightly - but no
problem - Wikipedia.org (or other internet sites) might help
you with the finer details of e.g. Bayes theorem,
the secretary problem or what ever you might
want more details on.
And isn't it nice to know that you will have a
0.0005 chance of dying in a car accident if you live
5 years in France, or a 0.9999984 chance of surviving
20 flights this year. Or if 10 people gather in a
room there is a 12 % chance of a birthday match. With 23
people in the room there is 50 % chance of match.

You can't live without that kind of data!

-Simon

CHANCE.......2006-03-20

This book covers alot of ground in discussing topics in probability without becoming too technical. The book is succinct, easy to read, and seems that is was meant to pique one's curiosity in probabilities teaching some interesting principles and ideas. These ideas could be further expanded with more of a specialized and more technical probability textbook.

Chance a Guide to Gambling, Love, the Stock Market & Just About Everything Else

Average customer rating:

Chance a Guide to Gambling, Love, the Stock Market & Just About Everything Else
Amire D. Aczel
Manufacturer: Random House
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: 1740513800

Average customer rating:

Chance: A Guide to Gambling, Love, The Stock Market & Just About Everything Else

Manufacturer: Thunder's Mouth
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: 073945398X

Chance: a Guide To Gambling, Love, the Stock Market and Just About Everything Else

Average customer rating:

Chance: a Guide To Gambling, Love, the Stock Market and Just About Everything Else
Amir D. Aczel
Manufacturer: Thunder's Mouth Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000N760YK

Books:

Books Index

Books Home

Recommended Books