History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)

Book Description

Recorded history is a finely-woven magic fabric of intricate lies about events predating the sixteenth century. There is not a single piece of evidence that can be reliably and independently traced back earlier than the eleventh century. This book details events that are substantiated by hard facts and logic, and validated by new astronomical research and statistical analysis of ancient sources.

Balance Point (Star Wars: The New Jedi Order, Book 6)

Average customer rating:

And now back to our program, already in progress
Balance Point Does Deliver But With a Few Minor Quibbles
This book is awesome!
Cor Duro is not that much fun
#6

Balance Point (Star Wars: The New Jedi Order, Book 6)
Kathy Tyers
Manufacturer: Del Rey
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 0345428587
Release Date: 2001-07-03

Book Description

In the aftermath of one tragedy,
will a young Jedi’s search for redemption
lead to yet another?

There is no place else to channel the flood of refugees fleeing the murderous Yuuzhan Vong but the overcrowded planet Duro, poisoned by centuries of technological excess. Fortunately a deal is struck: In exchange for a new home, the refugees will work to restore the planet to health, under the watchful eye of Leia Organa Solo.

While tempers flare between the Duros and the New Republic, Han Solo, his son, Jacen, and the Ryn called Droma arrive to keep the peace. They are unaware that Leia is on Duro . . . and that Luke, Mara, and Anakin are on their way, searching for a missing Jedi apprentice. And none realize that the Yuuzhan Vong have chosen this embattled planet as the next target in their brutal coreward thrust.

Now, as the fragile stability on Duro threatens to collapse into violence, Jacen Solo must face his greatest dilemma: At what point does the use of power become aggression? Whatever he decides, his next step could tip the galaxy’s destiny toward the light or toward darkness–with the life of someone he loves hanging in the balance . . .

Customer Reviews:

And now back to our program, already in progress.......2007-09-11

With Balance Point, the sixth book in the massive New Jedi Order series, we finally get back to the larger Yuuzhan Vong invasion story, and more specifically the Jedi's role in that conflict. I enjoyed James Luceno's Agents of Chaos books, but they were essentially Han Solo stories, and while enjoyable, I was ready to get back to the main event.

The action in Balance Point takes place on (and above) the planet Duro, which is the latest port of call for the refugees fleeing from their Yuuzhan Vong-ravaged planets. The book focuses on the Skywalker/Solo clan, with Han and Leia working planetside with the refugees, Luke and Mara pursuing a missing Apprentice, and the Solo kids in various supporting roles. The individual details (CorDuro, SELCORE, Randa, etc) don't really seem to matter. The main focus of the book is the further development of Warmaster Tsavong Lah (one of the best Star Wars villains) and Jacen Solo's struggle with just what his role is in this galactic conflict. Their inevitable conflict is epic, and sets the stage for the next several volumes in the NJO saga.

I'm not a huge Kathy Tyers fan, but the The Truce at Bakura (Star Wars) author acquits herself well here. I'd have preferred a bit more action and less soul-searching, but I understand that it was important to Jacen Solo's development as a Jedi. It's frustrating to read about his moral struggles in light of later events in the disappointing (on many levels) Legacy of the Force series. I'm still having a hard time believing that the Jacen Solo depicted in the NJO series is the same as the Dick Cheney wannabe in LOTF.

It's not the best book in the series, but Balance Point successfully shifts the focus back to the larger Yuuzhan Vong storyline and sets the stage for the aliens' push towards the Core and Coruscant itself, not to mention their all-out offensive against the Jedi.

Balance Point Does Deliver But With a Few Minor Quibbles.......2007-04-05

Well, its been awhile and im back for another review. Lets get right on with it. This one was good overall. I particularly liked the continuing development of the twins. The Vong here are particularly nasty and I continue to hate them more and more. Tyers did well with the prose and overall structure. However, there is one little problem i had with it. Right in the midst of a particularly intense moment of pursuit or escape, the author chooses to have her characters have a serious philosophical discussion. This would never happen obviously in reality. The characters would be too busy tryin to save themselves. That is the only thing. Other than that, I like the direction this series is headed. On to book 7. See ya next time.

This book is awesome!.......2006-11-14

There is no place else to channel the flood of refugees fleeing the murderous Yuuzhan Vong but the overcrowded planet Duro,poisoned by centuries of technological excess. Fortunately a deal is struck: In exchange for a new home,the refugees will work to restore the planet to health,under the watchful eye of Leia Organa Solo.

While tempers flare between the Duros and the New Republic,Han Solo,his son,Jacen,and the Ryn called Droma arrive to keep the peace. They are unaware that Leia is on Duro...and that Luke,Mara,and Anakin are on their way,searching for a missing Jedi apprentice. And none realize that the Yuuzhan Vong have chosen this embattled planet as the next target in their brutal coreward thrust.

Now,as the fragile stability on Duro threatens to collapse into violence,Jacen Solo must face his greatest dilemma: At what point does the use of power become aggresion? Whatever he decides,his next step could tip the galaxy's destiny toward the light or toward darkness-with the life of someone he loves hanging in the balance....

I hope this was good for you all,I recommend this book

Cor Duro is not that much fun.......2006-08-09

I thought this was one of the biggest let downs in the New Jedi Order series so far. I happen to have gotten through it quicker than some of the previous books, but there really isnt anything interesting in this one that got me really excited. There was some interesting speculation with anakins dream in the beginning, but I feel that it really didnt connect to the story at the end. Alot of this book is just the planet Cor Duro about to get wasted. None of the secondary characters in the camps had stories that made me feel bad for them, so that aspect didnt carry much weight. I think mara jade was written for the best however and she had some cool parts with anakin once again. I think this one just needed more mystery. You couuld see everything happening a mile away. Just read it to get to the next book, which is turning out really great.

#6.......2006-05-03

calance point has luke skywalker seeking the vong for durability type testing as they havent been effective in kullung them .that is unless your name is anakan solo.anakan is the new all powerful hotshot.nobody wants to admit it and it makes the 15 yr old mad.mara jade skywalker has her disease which gets worse near the vong.and to make matters worse,shes not inly dhing but pregnant.the dumb beeeeeeee-och still goes out fighting.some women are far too reckless why pregnant.its sickening.jaina solo goes up rank fast as all her cos are ceung killed by the vong.she and her mother leia fight verbally.at one point jaina tells her "some women shouldnt have kids"of her mothers parenting skills.jacen solo kills a nasty ol hutt.but for some reason they never all die.i mean come on.everyonr hates them but no offensive.they probably have nowhere else to get thier "spice".the vong take like 5 more planets out in thier massive offensive.one place thet utterly destroyed was duros city.a price-the largest ever is put on jacen solos head after he messes up a war master.the vong also suddenly become very interestred in the jedi and tell everyone else that theyll quit killing if they are supplied with jedis.a lot of ppl began betraying jedis.a weopon of mass destruction was found and anakan wouldnt fire it.im not allowed to say if anyone did.also to add to anakans impressive resume is fought 4 gammorreans and easily won,held his own against master luke while sparring,built his own r2 unit and beat a bunch of vong all alone in a space battle,han solo goes about the galaxy helping leia on her mercy missions ,relocating refugees of destroyed,no longer inhabitable or vong run planets.leia suffers massive injury for her program.jacen solo is reting to wean himself off of the force.he feels the dark side and is scared.that is a vague description of book 6 in the series.

Visual Design Fundamentals, Second Edition: A Digital Approach (Graphics Series)

Average customer rating:

can use with any design program
Back to the Fundamentals.
Questionable reviews
Two Books In One
A self-teaching guide for artists and designers

Visual Design Fundamentals, Second Edition: A Digital Approach (Graphics Series)
Alan Hashimoto
Manufacturer: Charles River Media
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Arts & Photography | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 1584504935

Book Description

Visual Design Fundamentals: A Digital Approach, Second Edition has been completely updated to provide new insights and hands-on tutorials using the latest technology, including Adobe® Illustrator® and Photoshop®. The book teaches the foundational information that artists and designers need to know to understand the art of two-dimensional visual design. It explores the classic elements of design (line, shape, form, value, color, and texture) and their relationship to balance, harmony, variety, and other classic design principles. The theories presented are well-established ideas in all forms of two-dimensional art and design, including drawing, painting, printmaking, graphics, and general design. These principles may also be applied to interior design, architecture, and industrial design. As artists learn the theories taught throughout the book, they'll put these ideas into practice using a variety of hands-on tutorials covering line & shape, type combinations, letters as design elements, color composition, drawing, photo collages, and more. The tutorials use basic computer skills and techniques, and address classic tools and procedures common to all drawing and paint programs, including Illustrator and Photoshop.

Customer Reviews:

can use with any design program.......2007-01-25

Hashimoto teaches timeless precepts of visual design. Many of which predate the Internet. The book seems apt for someone already knowing something about Photoshop and Illustrator. It shows how to use those programs to apply changes to a design, in accordance with the precepts. But primarily you benefit at a higher level, in understanding through the book's examples how to use basic key ideas in design. Hence, the book is not necessarily restricted to users of those design programs. If indeed you favour another program not covered here, the book can still be very informative.

By the way, one chapter uses the example of typeface design. This has an air of antiquity about it. Designing letterforms goes back centuries, and has many subtleties that the chapter lets you appreciate.

Back to the Fundamentals........2006-09-30

The advent of the personal computer and design software such as Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop have greatly changed the way in which design work is done. Still, at the fundamental level the essence of good design still require an understanding of the fundamental design theories. The old concepts of line, shape, form, value, color and texture are still fundamental to good design be it of a poster, a kitchen appliance, or an automobile.

This book discusses how to combine the traditional approaches with the advances made possible by digital techniques. This is the second edition and builds on the material covered in the 2003 edition by providing discussion of the more powerful software that is available now.

The CD that comes with the book includes several tutorial projects for the student to complete as well as links to provide trial versions of Illustrator and Photoshop.

Questionable reviews.......2005-06-16

The two other reviews seem questionable. They read like an add for the book.

Honestly, the book has nice illustrations. It is short on design princples, and long on examples. Check out Robin Williams Non-Designer's book as well.

Two Books In One.......2004-07-24

This book is for anyone new to design fundamentals, digital art and computer imaging software. The author, Alan Hashimoto, has written two books in one. First, he discusses the elements and principals of two-dimensional art design and how they apply to both traditional art mediums and the digital art medium. Second, the book is an introduction to digital imaging software. He discusses the difference between object-oriented and paint software. Throughout the book he teaches the basic skills needed for creating artwork on the computer using both Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop. However the two objectives of this book are well integrated. The author has done a great job of demonstrating how to apply traditional design fundamentals to 2D digital art. He then reinforces this with seven digital art projects which help the reader to apply this knowledge while creating computer generated art.

Hashimoto discusses the design elements of line, shape, space, volume, value, color and texture and the principals of design such as unity, variety and balance. His explanations are easy to understand even for the novice and he uses many full-color digital art examples. However the best aspect of this book is the conceptual process used for completing the seven digital projects. This process starts by defining the design challenge and then brainstorming various approaches with thumbnail sketches. Next the design is further refined into roughs which incorporate more details. The final phases of the process are a trial run of the finished design and then the completed design.

The purpose of these seven projects is not only to apply the information in the book to real life examples but to demonstrate how the steps of the conceptual process can be accomplished using the computer. Hashimoto first discusses the traditional methods used for completing the process and then progresses on to digital methods. His step-by-step instructions for the Adobe software are very thorough and easy to follow. Even if you have not used this type of software before, these projects will teach you the basics of the software and how to use it. He also covers related topics such as scanning your artwork into the computer and printing your completed projects. I enjoyed all seven of the projects. But the one that I found especially useful was typeface design.

Project One - Modular Design
Project Two - Letterforms and Shape
Project Three - Figure Abstraction and Non-Objective Shape
Project Four - Value
Project Five - Color Theory
Project Six - Typeface Design
Project Seven - Digital Montage/Collage

Reading this book was like attending an art course at your favorite university. The author's presentation of the information resembled a class lecture which he reinforced with class assignments. So it is no surprise that Alan Hashimoto is an associate professor at Utah State University where he teaches graphic design and computer art. He is also an accomplished artist.

A self-teaching guide for artists and designers.......2004-03-06

Visual Design Fundamentals: A Digital Approach by Alan Hashimoto (Associate Professor of Graphic Design and Computer Art, Utah State University) is a superbly organized and presented resource and self-teaching guide for artists and designers seeking to take advantage of basic computer skills and techniques to create appealing, emotionally charged, and attention-gathering works of two-dimensional art. Visual Design Fundamentals includes straightforward tutorials and projects using Adobe Illustrator CS and Adobe Photoshop CS in order to provide hands-on experience with principles such as modular design, color theory, typeface design, figure abstraction, and more. An included CD offers files needed to complete the projects and trial versions of Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop. Highly recommended for an graphic artist seeking to create and utilize computer generated illustrations and/or designs, Visual Design Fundamentals is replete with both black-and-white and color illustrations throughout which wonderfully enhance the detailed, practical, "user friendly" instructions.

Balance Point: Searching for a Spiritual Missing Link

Average customer rating:

A Gripping, Inspiring and Educational Read!
There is only us...
Funnier than he intended
Should Be Required Reading
balance Point

Balance Point: Searching for a Spiritual Missing Link
Joseph C. Jenkins
Manufacturer: Jenkins Publishing (PA)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

General | Spirituality | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

Conservation | Environment | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0964425858

Book Description

Impending global ecological collapse begs the question: Are humans a planetary disease?

Dr. Lucille Boggs, a maverick scientist at a large western university, had been uncovering surprising answers as to why humans remain indifferent to the looming ecological collapse that jeopardizes the world today. Yet her untimely death in 1999 threatened to put an end to her extraordinary discoveries. Through an ingenious manipulation involving her Last Will and Testament, however, she managed to goad a nephew into following a mysterious trail she had so nearly completed -- a journey that takes him and his wife to remote territories, and ultimately, leads them back to the truths they hold inside. Entertaining and informational, Balance Point is a timely book with cutting-edge relevance. It is recommended for anyone concerned about the state of the Earth, as well as for the environmentally complacent.

In Balance Point: Searching for a Spiritual Missing Link, Joseph Jenkins examines the global implications of a society on the brink of both planetary destruction and spiritual revolution, weaving scientific facts within a tapestry of mystery and adventure to reveal remarkable spiritual concepts. Rich with a non-religious mysticism reminiscent of Carlos Castaneda, it draws from the astute observations of some of the world's leading ecological visionaries like David Suzuki and Paul Hawken. Balance Point is a singular work that imparts a disturbing, yet hopeful awareness of the world around us and the universe within us, revealing what may be the route to our planet's, and our species', long term survival.

Customer Reviews:

A Gripping, Inspiring and Educational Read!.......2006-10-01

This book reads like an adventure mystery novel, yet it is the reportedly true story of the author Joseph Jenkins' quest to fulfill his late aunt Lucy's research project to discover why the human race has become complacent about the impending ecological doom from it's parasitic "robbing frenzy" of Earth's resources and to find his own "balance point".

At first, the adventure of discovery seems like a "wild goose chase" taking Jenkins and his wife "Annie" around the country meeting scientists, witches, scholars and eventually down to the rainforest home of a South American shaman by the name of "Eduardo" who opens up new vistas of deep ecological awareness for them and the pieces of this mystery start to come together.

Will humanity wake up in time to realize it's destructive bad habits and set a new course towards good stewardship of Earth? Jenkins does not know, but realizes that he can't just sit back and take it as it comes- he fine tunes his life to be as ecologically correct as he can to reduce his environmental footprint for healthy, happy, ecologically responsible living.

Well written and engrossing, Balance Point is a thought provoking discourse on personal awareness and environmental consciousness. The book finishes with an ADDENDUM full of resources, contacts, and ideas for "symbiotic" (ecologically balanced) living on Earth. HIGHLY RECOMMENED FOR ALL BACKGROUNDS AND AGES!

There is only us..........2004-12-01

Balance Point -- Searching for a Spiritual Missing Link
Joseph Jenkins, 2000

"We are spiritually balanced when we live in harmony with the greater whole - with each other, with all of life, and with the Earth mother." Eduardo

It was particularly significant to me that I received and was immediately drawn to Balance Point just two weeks after 9/11. As stunned as I was by 9/11 and as emotionally devastating as it was and is, I was also immensely grateful that over 6000 souls would agree to leave in such horrific circumstances in order to force our awareness that there is no them, there is only us. I found a similar theme in the Balance Point story regarding the environment. Jenkins teaches us that there is "no away" when we throw out the trash, there is only somewhere else. Joe Jenkins, along with his immediate family, the inimitable Aunt Lucy, Eduardo the Shaman, and the Circle of Sisters lead us on a spiritual quest from Halifax to Montana to Peru. Think James Redfield. Think page turner that you simply cannot put down. Jenkins adventure teaches us as much about our true spiritual connection to the ecology of our Earth Mother as Redfield taught us about our spiritual energy dynamics.

In an interview with Joseph Jenkins after reading this engaging book, I asked him just how much of the story was fiction and how much was fact. His response was "The story is a blending of fact and fiction.... I have been asked by many readers exactly which is the fact and which is the fiction...all of the ecological issues are factual." Jenkins leaves it to us to decide whether we care about the details of the story or the state of the ecology of the earth. If we are willing to step outside ourselves, even for just a moment, the adventure becomes significant only because of the passion and point with which the story is told. Jenkins shows us how quickly our eco-systems are dying out and does not allow us to walk away unchanged.

Balance Point is one of the most well written and beautifully produced self-published books I have had the pleasure of reviewing. The cover is lusciously printed with the gorgeous colors of Mother Earth - deep brown, mellow gold, royal purple. The typeface is easy to read and the chapter graphics are terrific. Joseph Jenkins has compiled an impressive list of resources and short blurbs on how you can begin to change your behavior today and how you can continue to make a difference in all your tomorrows. Jenkins reminds us that in finishing the story we should consider the next step the beginning of our individual mission of symbiotic living. This is a great pass along book! Read it and pass along the good news!
*****************************************************************
Kathryn Lanier lives in Colorado with her nine year old twins. She is a freelance writer, editor, and review columnist educated at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the College of Charleston. She is an internationally published author and works world wide with clients from four continents! She can be contacted for services and workshop information through Innerchange Magazine online.

Funnier than he intended.......2004-10-21

This reminds me of the morose, self-obsessed poetry I wrote at fourteen. Don't buy it for the "thought"- Jenkins is sophomoric and intellectually underdeveloped. Don't buy it for the writing- Jenkin's dialogue is so bad, it will make you wince. Don't buy it for the... heck, just don't buy it.

Should Be Required Reading.......2002-01-13

Every once in a while, a book comes along that earns a "front and center" spot in my library. This is one such book.

One of the hardest things we, as human beings, have to do is to face the man in the mirror. Too many of us have been successfully avoiding it for years. Balance Point makes continuing to do so very difficult. While some may be surprised at the theories presented, one would also be hard pressed to deny the facts behind them.

The message this book sends to the world is not new - we're in trouble and running out of time - but rarely have I seen someone hit the mark so precisely when it comes to characterizing and illustrating the responsibility of the human race for our present dilemmas. The only thing sadder than the fact that we are like a cancer killing it's host [the earth] is that continuing to ignore our mirrors will be our ultimate demise.

Balance Point is a fascinating, eye-opening, educating RED FLAG that should be required reading in junior and high school curriculums world-wide.

balance Point.......2001-12-13

Balance Point is a fantastic read! An eye opening book with adventure and of ecological importance. I for one would recomend it to all high schools as a must read with a strong discussion following. The publication opens the mind, drawing the reader to desire to go further.

Teaching from the balance point: A guide for Suzuki parents, teachers, and students

Average customer rating:

an excellent guidebook

Teaching from the balance point: A guide for Suzuki parents, teachers, and students
Edward Kreitman
Manufacturer: Western Springs School of Talent Education
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

ASIN: B0006FBRLK

Customer Reviews:

an excellent guidebook.......2005-11-02

"Teaching from the Balance Point: A guide for Suzuki Parents, Teachers, and Students" is an excellent source of practical information for those studying music in the Suzuki Method. Organized around Edward Kreitman's "Priority Teaching", and drawn from his many years of Suzuki teaching experience, it provides in-depth explanations of how to teach (and learn!) effectively and with superior results. Kreitman's basic idea of "priority teaching" is that there are certain things a student needs in every piece of music, at every level of playing. He urges people to learn to think in terms of these priorities, rather than focusing on where they are in the curriculum. He sets out to explain his five priorities, spending chapter on each one, detailing what it is and giving tips on how to teach it.

The book is geared toward violinists, and as such the technical parts of the book (such as the discussion of teaching vibrato) are also highly applicable to violists (slightly less so to cellists), but will not apply to instruments such as the piano, flute, etc. Other 'how to' tips, such as teaching children to learn music "by ear", will work for every music student. Even with these tips, the book is not primarily a 'how to' manual, and it also provides a concise, simple, and accurate explanation of Suzuki philosophy, with fitting anecdotes scattered throughout.

The writing style is clear and readable, the layout and pictures are elegant, and the explanations are precise and easy to understand. Kreitman writes with enthusiasm and 'balance', and the content is sound and thorough. The book has been widely praised by Suzuki teachers and organizations. I am a Suzuki teacher and have recommended this book to students and their parents; the overwhelming reaction has always been very positive, especially from parents who do not already have a musical background.

Aerosol Optical Depth Retrieval by NPS Model Modified for SEAWIFS Input

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Aerosol Optical Depth Retrieval by NPS Model Modified for SEAWIFS Input

Manufacturer: Storming Media
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Spiral-bound
ASIN: 1423508068

Product Description

This is a NAVAL POSTGRADUATE SCHOOL MONTEREY CA report procured by the Pentagon and made available for public release. It has been reproduced in the best form available to the Pentagon. It is not spiral-bound, but rather assembled with Velobinding in a soft, white linen cover. The Storming Media report number is A994604. The abstract provided by the Pentagon follows: Using visible wavelength radiance data obtained from the spaceborne Sea-viewing Wide Field of-view Sensor (SeaWiFS), during the Aerosol Characterization Experiment-Asia (ACE-Asia), an analysis of aerosol optical depth (AOD) was completed by modification to the NPS AOD Model previously compiled for NOAA geosynchronous- and polar-orbiting satellites. The objective of the analysis was to calibrate the linearized, single-scatter algorithm, estimated bi-directional surface reflectance, and phase function parameters. The intent of the study was to provide enhanced temporal AOD coverage with the addition of the orbiting SeaWiFS eight-channel radiometer to the established NOAA constellation of five-channel AVHRR-equipped satellites. The work has operational significance in providing timely, accurate remote information to military operators of identification and targeting systems. Possible applications include detection and warning of international treaty violation of reducing the adverse public health effects by weapons of mass destruction of pollution advection on global weather patterns.

Average customer rating:

Balance Point
Kathy Tyers
Manufacturer: ARROW (RAND)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000GLZJ2M

Average customer rating:

Balance Point
Ruth Eisenberg
Manufacturer: San Diego Poets Pr
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: 0931289017

Balance Point - Star Wars, The New Jedi Order

Average customer rating:

Balance Point - Star Wars, The New Jedi Order
Kathy Tyers
Manufacturer: Del Rey/Ballantine
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000P46ZB4

Average customer rating:

Balance Point :New Jedi Order
Kathy Tyers
Manufacturer: DEL REY BOOKS
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000WDRD7S

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