Book Description
In the course of more than sixty years spent covering Washington politics, Helen Thomas has witnessed a raft of fundamental changes in the way news is gathered and reported. Gone are the days of frequent firsthand contact with the president. Now, the press sees the president only at tightly controlled and orchestrated press conferences. In addition, Thomas sees a growing -- and alarming -- reluctance among reporters to question government spokesmen and probe for the truth. The result has been a wholesale failure by journalists to fulfill what is arguably their most vital role in contemporary American life -- to be the watchdogs of democracy. Today's journalists, according to Thomas, have become subdued, compromised lapdogs.
Here, the legendary journalist and bestselling author delivers a hard-hitting manifesto on the precipitous decline in the quality and ethics of political reportage -- and issues a clarion call for change. Thomas confronts some of the most significant issues of the day, including the jailing of reporters, the conservative swing in television news coverage, and the administration's increased insistence on "managed" news. But she is most emphatic about reporters' failure to adequately question President George W. Bush and White House spokesmen about the lead-up to the invasion of Iraq, and on subjects ranging from homeland security to the economy. This, she insists, was a dire lapse.
Drawing on her peerless knowledge of journalism, Washington politics, and nine presidential administrations, as well as frank interviews with leading journalists past and present, Thomas provides readers with a rich historical perspective on the roots of American journalism, the circumstances attending the rise and fall of its golden age, and the nature and consequences of its current shortcomings. The result is a powerful, eye-opening discourse on the state of political reportage -- as well as a welcome and inspiring demand for meaningful and lasting reform.
Customer Reviews:
VERY INTERESTING BOOK.......2007-08-23
Helen Thomas has covered the White House since JFK and her insight into how the media has failed in the recent years to cover the White House and be the Watchdogs of Democracy is "Right on Point." There are very few "Real" Journalists like hardworking Helen Thomas around anymore!!
What's going on in Washington DC?.......2007-05-13
The lady in the red suit scores again with this cogent comment on the Washington press corps. Ms. Thomas, who pitches hardball questions during press conferences if she is allowed to do so, has very coherently and successfully produced a well-reasoned text about why the press corps failed the American people by not investigating the shenanigans surrounding the present administration. This is a necessary read for journalism students and probably for those interested history and political science.
A misleading title on a journalistic memoir.......2007-04-26
This book sorely disappointed me for two reasons. I strongly agree with the thesis of the title, that the media largely abandoned their important duty as watchdogs of democracy in the run-up to the War in Iraq, HOWEVER, this issue amounts to a grand total of ONE chapter in her entire book. The rest is a bunch of anecdotes tied loosely together. In fact, it reads more like an anthology than a unified work.
The second thing that disappointed me was also something of a shock: Helen Thomas, Grand Dame, Dean of the Washington Press Corps, is a lousy writer! I am serious. I read on average one or two political/nonfiction books a month, and this is one of the most poorly written I have read yet. Some of the books I have read are by "regular" people, some by pundits, and some by politicians. Nearly all of them write in a more interesting and engaging style than Mrs. Thomas. Her tone is often conversational at best, and her stories seem to be told as much to discuss presidents' interactions with the media as to tell you what an interesting career she has had.
I could not in good faith give it one star. It isn't horrible. It is just extremely disappointing.
rambling, disjointed, biasd, personal, fun.......2007-02-08
This is a rambling, disjointed, biased, personal account
of what should be an important public issue. The title
has a question mark, and the subtitle identifies the
culprit and makes an accusation. So how does "Watchdogs
of Democracy? The Waning Washington Press Corps and How
It Has Failed the Public" measure up? Not very well on
the subject, but better as a collection of snippets.
The foreword drones on and on for ten pages. Chapter 1
tells us Journalism is an honorable profession in
spite of Jayson Blair and a few others.
Chapter 2 mentions several scandals uncovered by the
press. Chapter 3 has anecdotes about presidents with
the press. Chapter 4 is about press secretaries.
Chapter 5 is about spinning the news.
Chapter 6 is about leakers and whistle blowers.
Chapter 7 admits that the news business is a business.
Chapter 8 complains about the FCC. Chapter 9 is
the subject of the book, the press as lapdogs.
Chapter 10 covers war correspondents, Iraq wars,
and Vietnam. Chapter 11 covers her choice of the
greatest American journalists. There is over 11
pages of closely spaced, double column index,
but no references.
Thomas seems to think there is little in Washington
except the White House. The other branches, and the
bureaus and departments are seldom mentioned.
Some Republicans will be bothered by some of her
attacks, and some Democrats will be delighted.
There are attacks, and both Democrats and Republicans
are the targets, perhaps in equal numbers, but they
are treated differently. Democrats tend to get the
passive voice and quirky little adjectives.
Republicans tend to get the active voice and
malicious adjectives. Bush 43 gets the worst
treatment.
Still, it is an entertaining book. The only time
I was tempted to put it down was Thomas quoting
herself giving a speech disguised as a question at
a White House Press Conference.
Neither focused nor organized.......2007-01-14
This book was clearly written for profit. Many sections of the book are only weakly connected back to the main theme and nowhere does Helen Thomas make her case-in-chief directly. Instead, the reader is treated to a series of vignettes which all too frequently bear only a tenuous relationship to one another and which make no effort to maintain continuity. While each chapter has a reasonably strong cohesion (though those boundaries frequently intersect in a way which would make any Venn diagram lover proud), they work together not as a fine Swiss watch, but instead more like a Rube Goldberg machine.
There is one theme which appears time-and-again: the idea that an objective and vigorous free press is a necessary part of democracy. This point is made consistently throughout the book from a cornucopia of different, albeit predicable, angles, and is artfully shown both implicitly and explicitly through excellent and enjoyable anecdotes accumulated during the author's sixty years as a White House correspondent. Unfortunately for the reader, her anecdotes frequently seem to be included for their value as self-platitudes rather than for intrinsic value or thematic attenuation. Also unfortunate is the inconvenient truth that Helen Thomas is no longer the type of reporter she praises, but the type she opines against: an opinion columnist.
There are certainly gems in the rough scattered throughout the 201 pages, but the author's tendency both to ramble and babble makes them difficult to find and detracts from their value. With regard to Thomas' periodic attempts a historical organization, her comments at the conclusion of chapter four are revealing: "There were other press secretaries and other spokespersons. I have mentioned only a few who stand out in my mind, for better or worse." Indeed, it seems she deemed fit to simply write down a train of thought as it occurred to her in the shower; that is to say, while not devoid of organization, the linking up of subjects is tenuous at best. Perhaps the most interesting and enjoyable aspect of Helen Thomas' writing style in this book is her robust use of vocabulary, which includes a scattering of excellent words on every page (some of which I even had to look up).
Book Description
Encompassing the entire scope of the practice of midwifery, this new edition has been extensively revised and updated to reflect the full scope of current midwifery practice.
Customer Reviews:
Varney's Midwifery text.......2007-09-29
Excellent book for nursing and midwifery students. Any midwifery practitioner would do well to always have the latest copy in their reference library.
A must read.......2003-11-21
I have always found Varney to be useful and easy to read, especially in comparison to Speroff or Gabbe. I think that this book was never intended to be the definitive text on home birth. If a midwife's interest lies in homebirth, seek out books that cater to that option. I found the skills sections especially helpful. It isn't Varney's job to unite midwives, her primary job is to educate. You can not teach the spirit of midwife through a book, that's where mentoring comes into play. This is certainly a must have for all practicing midwives, regardless of educational background.
Technically accurate, boring read.......2002-11-06
I am impressed by Varney's vast knowledge of hospital procedures as they relate to midwifery care. However, I found this to be "textbook" as a very boring read. Her information did not really cover the practice outside the hospital setting as thoroughly as would be needed for someone praticing in that setting. Her information would be most appreciated by the CNM and the L&D nurse - a great resource for them.
This is a good reference book, but not the best for homebirt.......2001-06-15
This book is a good reference book, but not the best one for homebirth midwives. Myle's, and Anne' Frye's books I have found to be more applicable in my practice. To the above person that thinks that Circumsision should not be addresses, I could not disagree more. Circumsision is a subject that should be addressed prenatally, and Since midwives are supposed to provide basic Post-partum care to the mother and baby during the first six weeks It is essentual that midwives and parents are educated about the issue antapartum
Not for those looking for Home Birth information!.......2000-05-26
This book does no service to the Home Birth community. If you are looking for information on all facets of birth in a MEDICAL setting, then this book would be for you. Home birth facilitators would never recommend some of the practices in this book. (The Zanelli technique, for instance. Which is when you have a baby that's head has delivered but the shoulders are stuck, and it shows you how to push the baby back inside the womb.Or as already mentioned, Circumcision.) This book would be useful for those birth facilitators that intend to practice exclusively in a hospital setting.
Book Description
This globally oriented book covers the most current research and trends in International Management. It offers comprehensive and integrative cases that illustrate the actual behaviors and functions required for successful cross-cultural management at the strategic and interpersonal level.
Includes numerous boxed features that relate concepts to real-world practice. Also includes experiential exercises for self-test.
For professionals in international business.
Customer Reviews:
Still number one in International Management.......2007-07-06
This book was published in 2004. I have used it for the past three years in a college course with exactly the same title. It covers the cultural differences of managerial operations in multinational enterprises. The PowerPoint slide is useful for lectures. Many in-class exercises were done using articles from: BusinessWeek, Crains NY Business, Economist (online), Financial Times (online), Forbes and Fortune magazines.
The book will be better if more real-world examples were given on CEO of Ikea, Mittal Steel or News Corporation. Students did the reseach on the CEOs of these firms and reported their final projects. Final projects were done individually or in a group. Students generally like the book except the cost. But the book is cheaper than most of the other international management titles. I would recommend this book to everyone.
Great book describing culture.......2000-09-15
Excellent Book. I was impressed on how the author was able to showthe various difficulties that are faced and how one can go about managing them. Real scenarios helped a lot in understanding the difficulties better in International relations.
Amazon.com
When Helen Schucman, a professor of medical psychology at Columbia University, began hearing an inner voice of rapid dictation (which she eventually identified as the voice of Jesus), she decided to start taking shorthand notes. Then, with the support and encouragement of a colleague, Schucman continued to assemble the teachings that came to her. The result is A Course in Miracles, a book that has spawned hundreds of study groups and an international following. Although some may find the teachings simplistic ("To heal is to make happy"), many are struck by the predominately compassionate and eloquent passages of this Christian-based interpretation of the Bible ("Whenever you deny a blessing to a brother you will feel deprived, because denial is as total as love"). Indeed, many of the teachings carry weight and certainly merit the acclaim and attention that this book has generated. --Gail Hudson
Customer Reviews:
Those who gave this a low rating don't "get it".......2007-09-03
I've read a few reviews on this book. I used to get upset at hardcore intellecutal types who use a fancy vocabulary just to prove to others how "intelligent" they are. Intelligence is a curse to those who claim to know everything and a gift to those who know they know very little. This book is not the Bible it's not the Koran it's a spiritual book with valuable lessons. Yes it is tedious and complicating. If it was simple it wouldn't be worth the read. The problem is people are either very religious and call it blasphemous or are hardcore science types who need everything proven to them in a sterile laboratory. Life is complex and so are people. This is not the answer to all your problems BUT if you "get it" you'll learn from it. Leave those who hate this book to continue living in fear of change. I don't have all the answers, no one does. Your truth is not my truth. If love and compassion scare you don't read this book. If you get uncomfortable looking in the mirror because you feel lost, don't read this book. God is not a man on a chair with a beard in my opinion. God is everything, life, energy, thought. You control your own life. It saddens me to see that when things go right arroagant people pound their chest with pride but when things go wrong God is "punishing" them. This book is not for the weak of spirit. If you have an open mind, and you have a heart you'll enjoy this book. If your brain is so big that your ego and pride blind you, don't read this book. There are 2 types of intelligent people; those who keep an open mind and UNDERSTAND that they will NEVER have all the answers but try to find peace in life and then there are those who base their identity on their iq scores. You are not you're thoughts, you are not your car, you are not you're phd degree on that wall, you just...are.
on mysticism and schizophrenia.......2007-08-21
The book cannot be discussed per se or as a work of art, rather as awork on the manifestation of escapism and self delusion.
Having endured a tedious battle of copyright beween competing groups of quasi religious conviction it is now exploited under the notion that it is distributed for no profit at all, this being the first delusion of many more to follow.
It has been written by Helen Schucman, teaching medical psychology at the Columbian Presbeteryan Center in the sixties of the last century with the claim that it was dictated by a voice she heared inside her head. Later she identified this voice as Jesus Christ. This Jesus gave her dictations on a daily basis which she put down on note pads. Schucman red these notes to her collegue Dr. William Thetford who edited and typed the text.
At first Schucman was reluctant to publish her work, for reasons the reader must imagine himself.
In the early seventies Schucman and Thetford passed the text, among others, on to Benedikt Groeschel, an ex-priest who at that time converted a certain Kenneth Wapnik from Judaism to Catholizism. Wapnik at that time wrote a work on mysticism and schizophrenia, concluding that mystics could never be schizophrenics. Groeschel gave Wapnik the text and Wapnik became a key figure of the cult. His income consists of revenues from books, tapes, workshops and donations, all based on Schucmans work.
Critical thinking about the claimed origin of this work is not encouraged by followers of the believe.
The same goes for questioning of its content.
Within the group of dedicated followers it is blasphemy to ask whether this could be a case of creative schizophrenia.
It feels like the basic and common truths contained in the volumes need a special endorsement in order to be considered valid. "If you cannot believe that it is the actual voice of Jesus you are refusing to wake up" this is the answer I recieved at one of the cult's workshops, surrounded by followers trembling from the kind of self induced ecstasy you will see at spiritual gatherings wordwide, regardless of the religious confession.
It is certainly no coincidence that most editions have a look and appearence that can easily be confused with US editions of Christian Bibles. The sectarian movement has the same stark opposition to critical views as orthodox Catholocism had in the past. It is in fact this point where ACIM and Catholicism are at its closest.
If you dare to question the loosely organized structure of thought, the answers of the group are as follows: You are only questioning the content of the book because you are "living in a dream" or "living in an illusion" and once again "refuse to wake up".
Aim of the system is to remove you from that dream, to awaken you into a reality which is supposed to exist only inside you - solipsism is the word that comes to my mind.
The philosophy of the work, basically purging scattered thoughts of early Christianity with an eclectic mix of hindu and other early religious views poular in the 60ies (think of the Beatles and their Indian Gurus!), is based on the idea of omitting personal suffering by omitting the ego that causes the suffering and carries it on indefinitely as long as you do not apply a process of "waking up from an illusion". It is of course similar to the Asian concept of Maya, the veil that covers the truth. This is one of many cultural cross references that are never made, the book makes it sound as if it carries original ideas, original ideas endorsed by a second coming of Jesus Christ to be exact.
The volume can easily be summoned up in one sentence: "Don't take yourself so serious."
This idea is as old as mankind, served in all mayor religions alike and not a bad idea.
The manual however is very serious, the gurus in the workshops even more so as soon as you stop petting their ego start to ask real questions.
I talked to the people. Most clients of the cult suffer from overindulgence or from the neclect of emotionally inacessible parents. It offers them to find solace by dwelling in their inner realms and by eliminating any resource of outward or political responsibility.
The philosophy of the book claims that you are the master of your fate just by waking up from the illusions in your life. While this is certainly true in cases of spiritual neglect retalted to things like "The American Way of Life" it offers hardly solutions to problems such as: "What can be done against the political and moral crimes induced by power?"
The answer of the book is "prey and wait for miracles" It is probably oder than Christianity.
This is, after all, one of these self help books for the gullible who are, more than anything else, in need for hugs, affection. Hence the workshops that offers all and a possibility to meet dates that are in need for love.
You can save yourself the rather tedious read and instead DO something good to yourself and the world around you. Hug anyone who's dear to you, send flowers to the people you care about, confess your love to those you didn't dare to, have an orgy of the kind that suits you, or just be yourself and smile when you want to frown.
1) The combattants of the copyright trial were the Foundation of A Course in Miracles (FACIM) and the Foundation for Inner Peace (FIP, before Foundation for Parasensory Investigation) against the New Christian Church of Full Endeavour Ltd (NCCFE).
FIP sold the rights in 1995 to Penguin books for 2,5 Million Dollars for 5 years of exploitation. In a verdict in 2003 the copyrights for FACIM were dismissed as the defendor NCCFE was able to proof that the book had been published earlier and that proper copyright had not been estabished by FACIM and FIC.
this review is not property of amazon
Substantial book.......2007-08-16
I've heard about the Course in Miracles for years. I ordered this book and have found it to be incredible. It contains all three parts in one book. If you have any interest at all, I recommend that you buy it. Even if you only read it occasionally or if you study daily - it is truly an inspiration.
A Course In Miracles.......2007-08-13
If you are open minded, really, and want to awaken to your true reality, this Course is truly helpful.
From a 5 year student and counting.......2007-07-30
The Course, as it describes, is a requirement for all those who chose to come here, then yearn to return to that ever nagging place we came from. But because our ego's are so huge, covering our spirit like the stone that was rolled away from the tomb, exposing the Spirit of Christ.
The course is a way of uncovering all that we used to cover up our true Self. Every year, the course seems to change in front of your eyes.
Anyone who has ever read it and not continued with it, is purely not ready for the Course. It is indescribable. It is life changing and brings on such great peace or at least the means of peace and contentment.
The Course in Miracles (ACIM)comes to those who ask "There must be a better way?" It certainly did for myself and everyone I ask.
Uniquely written by internal dictation thru a scribe. The words are OBVIOUSLY not from earth.
I am an avid reader and never read such incredible dialog. Rich, descriptive, intuitive and point blank, gets down to the real nature of our existance and our quest.
Book Description
This best-selling book discusses the aspects of “successful aging,” covering growth and development from young adulthood to old age, and the impact that culture, gender, and individual differences have on these processes. Its conversational and positive tone keeps readers interested in the subject matter, as it encourages them to apply the concepts of the book to their own lives. It presents research findings, theories, and models from the fields of developmental psychology, social psychology, health psychology, sociology, and others to discuss topics of prevention, compensation, gains, and losses. For psychologists, sociologists, and gerontologists interested in a valuable resource for information about the aging process.
Customer Reviews:
I'd give it zero stars if I could.......2005-10-22
I understand that the typical Psychology Book is not exactly a riveting novel, but good god, this was way too much. I have never been more annoyed with a text book- I would never voluntarily have read this garbage! She would have had a much shorter book if we weren't forcefed her life story at every possible chance she could insert it in. This woman is very full of herself...very full. There were a lot of typos, a lot of redundent sentences, and a lot of crap we didn't need! I hope for the rest of the psychology students of the world that this author reads these reviews and vows never to write another text book again. If I ever have a class that requires another text book by her, I will drop without hesitation! And change majors the next morning!
HORRABLE.......2004-04-15
In my 4 years as an undergraduate i have never read such a poorly written book. She has more typo's then I have including multiple references to the NEO-PR (NEO-PI-R). She incorrectly summarizes groundbreaking research (i.e. Ceci, Rosenblum, & Debruyn, 1999). Her feminist agenda flows freely all over this book along with usless stories about her self that dont add to the text. DO NOT PURCHASE THIS BOOK FOR YOUR CLASS. You and your students will regret it.
Increasing understanding of Aging.......2002-04-16
Hellen Bee is able to carry one through the years of adulthood through many avenues. Using scientific studies she interprets the data in meaningful ways. Inclusion of personal accounts and her conversational style make the reading interesting. The book continually ties previous ideas to new concepts giving a nice continuity. I especially enjoyed her occasional insertions of the not-so-scientific spiritual aspects of the adult experience, which I was not expecting in a textbook. My ideas of what it means to grow old were challenged and changed during the reading of this book. Some myths of adulthood are adeptly smashed making the thought of aging not such a frightful one. The only criticism I would include is that occasionally the point being made was not clear to me and a few conclusions seem to have contradictory statements in following chapters. That may be expected in the field of psychology, however.
Book Description
Renowned for its comprehensive coverage, exceptional illustrations, and clear instructions, this hallmark book offers detailed yet easy-to-understand explanations of the essence of patternmaking. Hinging on a recurring theme that all designs are based on one or more of the three major patternmaking and design principles–dart manipulation, added fullness, and contouring–it provides all the relevant information necessary to create design patterns with accuracy regardless of their complexity.
Sewing guides included for the pleated trouser (with pattern layout), belt/loops, pockets, and zipper; the jean pant with pockets, countour belt, and fly front; and the gusset. Updated jacket foundation draft includes fabric preparation, interfacing, chest piece, tape control, and shoulder pads. Pant drafts–Trouser draft including pocket, waistband, and loop; dungaree foundation draft; grunge pant draft; and three jean waistline variations including pocket and sewing instruction. Includes fitting corrections for the basic patterns. Unique section on patternmaking for bias-cut garments.
For anyone developing their patternmaking skills.
Customer Reviews:
Well worth the money.......2007-07-18
Patternmaking for Fashion Design and DVD Package (4th Edition)
I'm an intermediate level sewer and haven't had a course in patternmaking. However I have found this book invaluable even though it is written as a textbook. I haven't read it cover to cover because I regard it as a reference book. However, after having reviewed the sections that relate to the sewing I do, I have found it very enlightening. There are certain principles that I didn't understand until I read it, such as dart rotation. This, for instance, will be very helpful to me in altering commercial patterns to make them fit better. I plan to do some pattern drafting, but will probably use it mostly in altering commercial patterns. For instance, I was recently altering a pants pattern and wondered if I was changing the ratio of the width of the front leg to the back. The book answered my question while books on pattern alterations didn't address this issue. The layout of the book has been thoroughly explained in other reviews, so I won't go into describing it. I will say, however, that I highly recommend this book for anyone who sews as a hobby because it answers a lot of questions one would have when it comes to altering commercial patterns or drafting simple patterns. It's expensive, but money well spent. This book should be in the library of any serious sewer.
No, No, No.............2007-01-23
This book is outdated, outmoded, and nearly useless. It contains tons of information on how to manipulate fabrics that aren't even in use anymore. Hardly anything on dealing with knit fabrics, which look better and are easier to manipulate. Ask anyone under 50 if they have ever seen any darts in their clothes? And all this slashing and turning and manipulating??? not only is it sloppy, its useless, Useless, USELESS! Lots of money spent for vague instructions on basic blocks, and only clothes made in the 80's. Save eyour money, just because this book is expensive, doesn't make it useful.
Extensive, but a few mistakes..........2006-11-03
I was required to purchase this book for my fashion design class. At first I was completely blown away at how comprehensive it was. It talked about measuring, darts and manipulation, basic patterns and principles, women, mens, children, knit, and sportswear. From what I can tell, it's based off of " Industry Standards". So It's not your everyday Joe book.
During class though, many of my teachers noticed discrepancies in the instructions. Particularly the fitted arm block. It made me fail my class twice because the first and second teacher didn't catch that the instructions were incorrect, causing me to continually make an incorrect arm block. It took my DRAPING teacher to find out that the book was incorrect in the instructions for the sleeve cap.
We also had a problem during class, when the instructions made an extremely wonky sleeve pattern, and also a two dart bodice. The student was extremely frustrated with the book and the teacher for their lack of help and knowledge. The student was not an " industry standard" size. So the measurement guides were not available to her to make a proper judgement. She had to receive a bad grade because the book would not produce the correct pattern, and the teacher didn't know what to do.
Otherwise, this book is still a great reference. Many of the styles seem outdated, but yet can be played on to create current looks. But some of the wedding sleeve types are somewhat awful, but that's personal opinion.
Some Instructions Inadequate.......2006-09-10
I purchased this book as my figure has changed and I needed to re-do my basic slopers. The pattern design books I currently have did not cover trousers so I was delighted to find a new book that was apparently so comprehensive.
I found however that the method used to create basic bodice slopers, simply did not work with my measurements. There was no way the strap measurement was going to reach the line it was supposed to and there is no way to work around it as the rest of the drafting works from the point created.
I would also have liked some instructions on how to take measurements on live people rather than just models. If "the strap measurement may cover the armplate", what happens with an arm in the way? After all at least a few fashion students would hopefully go on to work with actual people rather than just standard measurements or models. I thought it was a major flaw in the book that there was no instruction on taking personal measurements & so little instruction on creating the basic slopers. It is really disppointing to have to find another method before I can use the rest of the book.
Finally ! Best value for my dollar.......2006-09-01
I received this book yesterday and read the first 100 pages. I've sewn all my life and consider myself an advanced seamstress. I've sewn and made my own patterns for childrens' heirloom, business suits, and now enjoy making (jazz) dance costumes. I'm the one in line at the fabric store buying ten patterns, just to combine different details and features in different sizes, especially if sewing for a group. I probably own hundreds of patterns and almost that many books. For me, this book will pay for itself many times over. It isn't a sewing "how to" book and it wouldn't be the first book for a beginner. The reader should be familiar or use other reference books for actual garment construction techniques. I've bought other, less expensive sewing books to learn pattern manipulation and fitting techniques. I put off the purchase of this book, being put off by its price. But, finally! This book is so inspiring and liberating. In just the first 100 pages, I've gotten through the basic patternmaking and dart manipulation. I think I may never have to buy another pattern again ! This is definitely a must have for the serious sewing enthusiast.
Average customer rating:
- A good introduction to the topic
- Well written, short explanations but nevertheless understandable
|
Microarray Gene Expression Data Analysis: A Beginner's Guide
Helen Causton ,
John Quackenbush , and
Alvis Brazma
Manufacturer: Blackwell Publishing Limited
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 1405106824 |
Book Description
Microarray technology is arguably the most important recent breakthrough in molecular biology. It enables researchers to obtain snapshots of gene expression for all the genes in a genome in a single experiment. Microarray experiments generate massive amounts of data that can be analysed to extract new knowledge about the underlying biological processes.This guide covers aspects of designing microarray experiments and analysing the data generated, and includes information on some of the tools that are available from non-commercial sources. Concepts and principles underpinning gene expression analysis are emphasised, and wherever possible the mathematics has been simplified. The guide is intended for use by graduates and researchers in bioinformatics and the life sciences and is also suitable for statisticians who are interested in the approaches currently used to study gene expression.
Customer Reviews:
A good introduction to the topic .......2007-05-20
Microarrays are a tool for monitoring gene expression levels for thousands of genes in parallel. This technology is very useful since patterns in the gene expression can be used for molecular characterization of phenomena that range from disease states and response to stimuli to the differences between cells of different types. The amount of information obtained from one microarray experiment can be large. These large amounts of information present new challenges in the areas of data storage, management, and analysis by biologists who are not accustomed to dealing with this much data. Also, the software used for data analysis is usually written by mathematicians and statisticians that have a minimum of training in biology.
This book addresses some of the issues faced by researchers who are beginning their first microarray experiments. It covers various aspects of designing and analyzing the results of microarray experiments. Microarrays are not limited to the study of gene expression, but this remains the most common use of the technology and therefore is the only use of arrays discussed here. This book attempts to explain the underlying concepts and principles routinely used in analysis of gene expression data. The book should be accessible by statisticians, computer scientists, and students of bioinformatics who want a grounding in the types of analysis currently used to study microarray data.
The book begins with an introductory chapter which is followed by three major chapters. As with any technology that has the capacity to detect small changes in a highly dynamic system, the underlying experimental design and the manner in which an experiment is conducted is critical for obtaining high quality data. Chapter two addresses these issues. The raw data from microarray experiments are images that must be transformed and organized into gene expression matrices. These transformations are the subject of chapter 3. Finally, in chapter 4, the common methods used for analyzing gene expression data matrices with the goal of obtaining new insights into biology are discussed. The book does a pretty good job of providing the reader with a general understanding of the nature of microarray data and how it can be analyzed. It was never meant to be a reference book or a comprehensive review, just a gentle introduction.
Well written, short explanations but nevertheless understandable.......2005-07-06
Certainly, this book can not give a complete description of microarrays, neither from an experimental nor a theoretical side. Nevertheless, the issues presented and discussed provide the reader with a solid basis for more advanced studies.
In my opinion, this book is well written, the explanations given are descriptive and understandable and its overall organization is plausible. I recommend this book as an introduction for the analysis of microarray data, because it provides a good overview of existing methods in this field. A warning: This does not mean, that all these methods are thorougly expained! It just provides an overview!! If you want to learn, e.g., clustering methods, you should consult another book (probably no other book about microarrays but a decent book dealing only with data analysis in general or clustering methods...)
Book Description
The bestselling biography of Helen Keller and how, with the commitment and lifelong friendship of Anne Sullivan, she learned to talk, read, and eventually graduate from college with honors.
Customer Reviews:
Huffy.......2006-01-14
I thank Hellen Keller is good for kids of all ages.MY favorite
part was when she hit Anny Sullivan. My mom has a sister who is blind.And she had to learn to do alot of things also.Do you know
she has a long red stick. I feelsory for my ant and Hellen keller.
First Chapter Book.......2004-06-15
This is the first chapter book I ever read. I am now 13 year olds and when I was in 1st grade I learned to read. In first grade I read this book and was hooked on reading forever after that. So thank you to the author!
This book has 95 pages in it, I remember it seemed so long then!
Two generations loved this book.......2003-06-18
My 8 year old just finished this book and was fascinated. I realized as I looked through it that I read it as a child and loved it too (as an 11 year old). My daughter is now eager to learn more about Braille and the consequences of being blind--though I had to ask her not to walk through the kitchen with her eyes closed. She loved the photos and can't wait to read about Annie Sullivan. A great book to show the triumph of the human spirit over adversity--and without pity!
Helen Keller.......2003-05-02
I didn't really like Helen Keller. My favorite part is when Helen got her diploma because she was the first blind and deaf to graduate. I don't know how you can chan it was her life.I read it because it was a asiment.
An Inspiration to Young Girls.......2002-10-22
Helen Keller is a book from my youth that I have hung onto all these years. Helen's story, beautifully told by Margaret Davidson, is an inspiration to all girls because each will face challenges at some point that will seem insurmountable. Here's a girl who had lost three senses yet learned to function in the world so well that she graduated college with honors.
The photographs, illustrations, the raised letter alphabet and the Braille alphabet on the book's back cover really bring Helen's story to life in the mind's of young readers. Highly recommended!
Customer Reviews:
Great - but could have been even better.......2007-09-27
As good as this book is, it could have been much better. Kovaly has a fascinating story to tell but too much of her story tells how this happened and then that happened without enough analysis or explanation. Kovaly lived through Hitler and Stalin and she has an amazing story to tell.
The book starts with the deportation of the Jews from Prague, where Kovaly lived, to the ghetto of Lodz in Poland. She describes the horrors and the death she encountered there. She then skips ahead to the last concentration/slave labor camp she was in before the war ended. She describes how she tells the German man who runs the factory about the extermination camps, a topic with which he seems to be utterly unfamiliar. And although the part she tells us is fascinating, she leaves out much of the story that she tells him. Finally she tells us of her escape as she is being marched away from the advancing Russian armies, her return to Prague, and her rejection by all the friends she had left behind. By far this is the best part of the book.
But this part ends sixty pages into the book and she has much more to tell us. After the war, Kovaly marries the man she always loved and he becomes a member of the Czech communist party and eventually a minister in the government. With the failures of communism, a scapegoat is needed by the government and her husband is arrested and executed as a traitor as part of the Slansky trials. As the widow of a traitor, her life in Prague is hell but she spends her every effort to care for her child and to rehabilitate her husband. Finally, in the early 1960's, reforms in Czechoslovakia led to her husband and all the others having their convictions overturned. The reforms continue until the Prague Spring of 1968 leading to the Russian invasion and the crushing of the new freedoms. At this point Kovaly flees for the West to join her son who is living in London.
The book is short at less than 200 pages and many things happen so the story moves quickly. But too much of the story tells us what happened as a way for Kovaly to avoid talking about herself. For example, by starting with the deportations, we learn nothing about Kovaly's life before the Nazis. Kovaly doesn't even tell us how old she was or what she was doing when she was rounded up. With all Kovaly has been through she has had to have built a wall to protect herself and she only shows us glimpses through that wall. But the book still remains an amazing story of the holocaust and the early communist years in Czechoslovakia. Her glimpses into how communism must always fail by its very nature from someone who was on the inside are worth reading to help us understand the 20th century. Kovaly leaves out the happy ending she finally achieved. It is a happy ending she deserves.
Under A Cruel Star & Reflections of Prague.......2006-08-07
My mother's book, in print since 1973 under various titles, the last being 'Under A Cruel Star', inspired me to write my own side of the story about my lost father, JUDr Rudolf Margolius. Now published and called 'Reflections of Prague: Journeys through the 20th century' it fills gaps in my mother's book provided by further research and historical information, some of which was not available to her and which many readers of her book had asked us for over the years. Hopefully this companion volume provides answers to these questions. I hope you find this book interesting and would welcome your feedback.
A mother's undying love for her son; a son's undying love for his mother..........2006-07-14
When I finished reading Heda Margolius Kovaly's stunning chronicle of continuous struggle, concentration camp survival, and eventual triumph, I had to stare out my window onto the street below for a long while, watching the people.
There I was, working and residing in modern-day Prague, mingling amongst the tourists and locals, with my feet touching those very same cobblestones of a city which Ms. Margolius Kovaly horrifically describes in her heart-rending tale of human resilience, UNDER A CRUEL STAR.
The realization blew my mind. I had to catch my breath.
Not too long ago -- a mere drip in the historical bucket -- very bad people once populated this ancient city and land. They were entirely free to express their poisonous views, shouting vile epithets about so-called "pure race," the so-called "scourge" of Jews, and about the so-called "evils" its then-society faced from saboteurs, fifth-columnists unaligned with Czechoslovakia's Communist Party.
As I walk these streets, I interact and share the same space with these people, the descendants, heirs, and inheritors of a very rotten recent legacy. It's this legacy that Ms. Margolus Kovaly chillingly describes and in vivid, sordid detail in her poignant memoir, UNDER A CRUEL STAR.
Commend, I say, this mighty woman of valour for sharing with you how much pain she once had to endure. Applaud her for how much strife she had to overcome when she returned from the unspeakable indescribable conditions of the Nazi's killing factory at Auschwitz, of which much has been written in the canon. I needn't repeat it here.
Be shocked at the clarity and the precision of Heda's language, and -- trust me -- reel and wonder why it is that she even chose to return to this infernal place, this city of Prague, municipal architect of her early life's damnation. For that, Heda deserves the equivalent of a "purple heart" for her resilience and fortitude. But this is not nearly enough...
As I read Heda's story, those small insignificant stresses which descend on a given day PALE by comparison. No longer will I feel needless stress. No longer will I be affected by it.
I am describing to you the impact of this memoir. Heda's strength will permeate you.
I love this book because it pries open a vista on a period these present Czech authorities are anxious to enshroud in mystery. I hear very little discussion today of what is known as Czechoslovakia's "collaborationist past" in the modern-day "Czech Republic."
Not a single leader in this fledgling country is willing to boldly take responsibility for the actions of this successor nation's preceding governments, whose reins -- the ones they now grip tightly -- are the offshoot of very rotten roots. Today's government must own up to its legacy, one which is responsible -- among countless other atrocities and crimes -- for murdering eleven perfectly innocent men, like Rudolf Margolius, Heda's late husband and father to her author son, Ivan, in 1953's Slansky (show) Trial. I was angered when I'd read how the doctor's in Stalin's infamous "Doctor's Plot" were not hanged, while Mr. Margolius and his ten other co-accused were. It made me *very* angry, and anger I wish not to think too much about for fear of what it might result in.
Evaluating this all, you scratch your head wondering where Heda derives all her strength? From where comes her unassailable moral fortitude and her staunchness without fail?
Look, don't read this book because *I'm* telling you to. I know I review a lot of titles, and you'd normally trust me judgement because you trust me, but don't, okay?
Also don't read this book because it's stylistically-impeccable and superbly written. I'll have you know there isn't a shred of literary critique I've got for the brilliant lines filling Heda's pages.
Read this book to place your life into perspective, if it's a comfortable and cushy one. Read this book to either compare or contrast Heda's past with what you call *your* past, and finally understand how the might of the human spirit is unbreakable. Heda Margolius Kovaly is the living proof. She is the embodiment of intrepid courage. And it's high time you get to know what that is.
I wish there were more than five stars I could give.
-- ADM in Prague
(for the writings of Ivan Margolius, please see "REFLECTIONS OF PRAGUE," for more information)
extraordinary memoir in several languages.......2006-05-26
I am the English-language publisher of Ms. Kovaly's extraordinary memoir, that is now being read in major universities around the world for an eyewitness view of twentieth century totalitarianism --in this case Nazism and Stalinism -- in Central Europe. This translation has been the basis for the UK, French, German, Dutch and Japanese editions of this book. There are very few books in any language by or about Czech Jewish women. Another excellent one is my wife Helen Epstein's journalistic memoir of her maternal line of Bohemian Jews titled Where She Came From: A Daughter's Search for her Mother's History, which covers the years 1800-1948 in the Czech lands.
a note from the translator of this book.......2005-05-14
As the translator from the Czech and the editor of the Plunkett Lake Press version of this book, I'd like to address the confusion about editions. Heda Kovaly first wrote this book in Czech. It was translated first by Czech philosopher Erazim Kohak who published it together with his own writing in one volume. In 1985, Heda Kovaly and I together translated and produced a new edition of her memoir. We called it Under A Cruel Star. That version was subsequently published by Penguin and then Holmes & Meier. There are also British, French, German, Dutch and Japanese translations that have been published under different titles. All have used the Plunkett Lake text.
Book Description
Based on rapid advances in what is known about how people learn and how to teach effectively, this important book examines the core concepts and central pedagogies that should be at the heart of any teacher education program. Stemming from the results of a commission sponsored by the National Academy of Education, Preparing Teachers for a Changing World recommends the creation of an informed teacher education curriculum with the common elements that represent state-of-the-art standards for the profession. Written for teacher educators in both traditional and alternative programs, university and school system leaders, teachers, staff development professionals, researchers, and educational policymakers, the book addresses the key foundational knowledge for teaching and discusses how to implement that knowledge within the classroom. Preparing Teachers for a Changing World recommends that, in addition to strong subject matter knowledge, all new teachers have a basic understanding of how people learn and develop, as well as how children acquire and use language, which is the currency of education. In addition, the book suggests that teaching professionals must be able to apply that knowledge in developing curriculum that attends to students’ needs, the demands of the content, and the social purposes of education: in teaching specific subject matter to diverse students, in managing the classroom, assessing student performance, and using technology in the classroom.
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