Perl Best Practices

Book Description

Many programmers code by instinct, relying on convenient habits or a "style" they picked up early on. They aren't conscious of all the choices they make, like how they format their source, the names they use for variables, or the kinds of loops they use. They're focused entirely on problems they're solving, solutions they're creating, and algorithms they're implementing. So they write code in the way that seems natural, that happens intuitively, and that feels good.

But if you're serious about your profession, intuition isn't enough. Perl Best Practices author Damian Conway explains that rules, conventions, standards, and practices not only help programmers communicate and coordinate with one another, they also provide a reliable framework for thinking about problems, and a common language for expressing solutions. This is especially critical in Perl, because the language is designed to offer many ways to accomplish the same task, and consequently it supports many incompatible dialects.

With a good dose of Aussie humor, Dr. Conway (familiar to many in the Perl community) offers 256 guidelines on the art of coding to help you write better Perl code--in fact, the best Perl code you possibly can. The guidelines cover code layout, naming conventions, choice of data and control structures, program decomposition, interface design and implementation, modularity, object orientation, error handling, testing, and debugging.

They're designed to work together to produce code that is clear, robust, efficient, maintainable, and concise, but Dr. Conway doesn't pretend that this is the one true universal and unequivocal set of best practices. Instead, Perl Best Practices offers coherent and widely applicable suggestions based on real-world experience of how code is actually written, rather than on someone's ivory-tower theories on how software ought to be created.

Most of all, Perl Best Practices offers guidelines that actually work, and that many developers around the world are already using. Much like Perl itself, these guidelines are about helping you to get your job done, without getting in the way.

Praise for Perl Best Practices from Perl community members:

"As a manager of a large Perl project, I'd ensure that every member of my team has a copy of Perl Best Practices on their desk, and use it as the basis for an in-house style guide." -- Randal Schwartz

"There are no more excuses for writing bad Perl programs. All levels of Perl programmer will be more productive after reading this book." -- Peter Scott

"Perl Best Practices will be the next big important book in the evolution of Perl. The ideas and practices Damian lays down will help bring Perl out from under the embarrassing heading of "scripting languages". Many of us have known Perl is a real programming language, worthy of all the tasks normally delegated to Java and C++. With Perl Best Practices, Damian shows specifically how and why, so everyone else can see, too." -- Andy Lester

"Damian's done what many thought impossible: show how to build large, maintainable Perl applications, while still letting Perl be the powerful, expressive language that programmers have loved for years." -- Bill Odom

"Finally, a means to bring lasting order to the process and product of real Perl development teams." -- Andrew Sundstrom

"Perl Best Practices provides a valuable education in how to write robust, maintainable Perl, and is a definitive citation source when coaching other programmers." -- Bennett Todd "I've been teaching Perl for years, and find the same question keeps being asked: Where can I find a reference for writing reusable, maintainable Perl code? Finally I have a decent answer." -- Paul Fenwick "At last a well researched, well thought-out, comprehensive guide to Perl style. Instead of each of us developing our own, we can learn good practices from one of Perl's most prolific and experienced authors. I recommend this book to anyone who prefers getting on with the job rather than going back and fixing errors caused by syntax and poor style issues." -- Jacinta Richardson "If you care about programming in any language read this book. Even if you don't intend to follow all of the practices, thinking through your style will improve it." -- Steven Lembark "The Perl community's best author is back with another outstanding book. There has never been a comprehensive reference on high quality Perl coding and style until Perl Best Practices. This book fills a large gap in every Perl bookshelf." -- Uri Guttman

Customer Reviews:

All good.......2007-09-14

This a great manual. Instead of being a reference like most books that you may only need parts of, every chapter has some interesting information and is applicable to daily coding. Since at this point you can learn a lot of Perl just on Google, textbook style manuals are on the way out. Best practices, though, is still very applicable. I wish I had read this book years ago looking back at my functional but awkward scripts.

Ruby and Python aficionados, take this!.......2007-08-17

One of the biggest asset in the Perl community is the people that form it. And Damien Conway is one of its outstanding members. Possibly the best speaker I've ever seen, he injects wisdom and wit in its books, which always take you a bit further in the path of Perl Enlightment. This one, of course, is no exception. Not only it teaches what you should do, but the many things you _shoulnd't_ do.
When will we be seeing a novel by Damien Conway? Don't let Charles Stross be the only perl monger that writes novels!

Best Perl book ever.......2007-07-15

Not only the best Perl book I've ever read, it's also one of the best programming language books, period.

If you've ever programmed C++ or Java, you'll know how revered the likes of Effective C++ and Effective Java are, a series of tips, suggestions, idioms, advice and commandments. This is the equivalent for Perl, except it's even more thorough and covers even more ground, from brace layout and statement formatting, to regexes, unit testing, documentation and command line parsing.

There's also an exceptionally good chapter on object orientation, wherein author Damian Conway guides the reader through the use of his own Class::Std module. If you're using objects in Perl, and you're still rolling your own, you're really making life unnecessarily difficult for yourself. Class::Std provides object features reminiscent of CLOS, and makes Perl competitive with the likes of Python and Ruby when it comes to objects. Class::Std has changed the way I code Perl forever, and I know I'm not the only one. Seriously, this chapter is worth the price of admission on it own.

It's hard to overstate just how much excellent stuff there is in here, there's even useful emacs and vi settings provided! And I've not even mentioned how well written it is. Damian Conway really does prove himself the master of witty examples.

Perl Best Practices is just brilliant. Absolutely essential reading - don't code Perl without it.

Don't Write Code Without It.......2007-03-11

This is a fantastic book that's valuable no matter what language you
program in. I've been writing code for three decades and have
programmed in almost two dozen languages and the priorities are always
the same when writing / reviewing code: maintainability, efficiency and
robustness. Every dictum in this book clearly advances one or more of
these priorities. If you're like me, you'll wish you had this book when
you started your software engineering career.

For development teams, this book is an instant win. With any
development team, there is always a discussion as to what coding
standards to use. Perl BP can be used to short-circuit such debate, to
the benefit of everyone involved.

Of course, not everyone will be happy with the standards outlined in the
book. Before I plunged in, I skimmed through the book and found things
that I disagreed with: K&R braces; loop labeling; no unless statements;
postfix if; etc. The arguments made in the book, however, are so
compelling that I'm now gladly writing my code to conform with them.

I always feel fortunate when I read a book that makes me want to change
my behavior for the better. Perl BP is one of these books.

Get it if you program in Perl, period........2007-02-15

This is the best collection of good ideas to make your life easier as you maintain your code and others code. I'm in Software Configuration Management, and I have to help people pickup others code all the time. If everyone in my shop used these practices, my job would be much simpler. Get it.

Average customer rating:

For the Love of Greys by Bobbi Brinker
For the Love of Greys
Very good informations!
FANTASTIC!!
Every parrot-owner should have this book

For the Love of Greys
Bobbi Brinker
Manufacturer: Lucky Press, LLC
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0976057611
Release Date: 2004-12-20

Book Description

Bobbi Brinker shares her knowledge and experience with African greys in all of the areas that are important for the pet owner and for the breeder. Bobbi's unsurpassed understanding of the essential African grey is matched only by her ability to convey the information with respect, compassion, and empathy for greys and for the people with whom they share their lives. Bobbi's love and respect for these birds is obvious throughout the book. She offers sound, sensible information in a series of thought-provoking articles. The book represents the author's deep convictions drawn from years of observation and experience hand raising grey babies. Common misunderstandings about African greys are explained clearly and with an inescapable logic. The book contains important and vital information presented in a clear and relevant way for prospective African grey owners. Although the title leads one to conclude this book is exclusively about grey parrots, it is an important guide and reference for owners of all parrot species. Originally published and distributed by the author to aviaries and grey owners, Lucky Press is very proud to have obtained the worldwide English publishing rights to Bobbi Brinker's book and to offer the second edition of For the Love of Greys to the trade and to the public. This latest edition comes with a new, color cover and updated references sure to keep the reader up-to-date on the latest information. Many of the articles in this book have been translated into Italian, Japanese, Russian, and Polish on the World Wide Web. Many of her articles have been reprinted in bird club newsletters, nationally and internationally and offered as educational handouts at conferences and bird fairs. This book and her articles are given by other breeders to their clients to help them better understand and manage their African greys.

Customer Reviews:

For the Love of Greys by Bobbi Brinker.......2007-04-30

Bobbi's book is the bible of parrot care in my home! I believe it has made me a better parrot owner. A MUST HAVE for new African Grey owners!

For the Love of Greys.......2007-02-20

A must have for anyone owning or thinking of owning an African Grey parrot.

Very good informations!.......2007-02-12

Book is nicely writen and it has tons of good information about all aspect in term of raising greys. I can definitely tell the writer really loves her greys.

FANTASTIC!!.......2006-10-29

Wish I had bought this book first! Bobbi Brinker tells it like it really is and doesn't sugar coat anything. This book was most instrumental in helping me decide to have an African Grey Congo in my life.

Every parrot-owner should have this book.......2006-04-25

This is truly an outstanding book. The author is a bird-whisperer, having great insight into dealing with parrots, as the special intelligent and talented beings they are. So many interesting suggestions on all aspects of a parrot's life. I'm very grateful to Bobbi Brinker.

Parrot-Toys and Play Areas : How To Put Some Fun Into Your Parrot's Life

Average customer rating:

Great Book!
Great directions and ideas for all birds.
Parrot toy and Play areas
Parrot Toys
Parrot-Toys and Play Areas:How to Put Some Fun Into Your Parrot's Life

Parrot-Toys and Play Areas : How To Put Some Fun Into Your Parrot's Life
Lauren Shannon-Nunn , and Carol S. D'Arezzo
Manufacturer: CrowFire Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Birds | Animal Care & Pets | Home & Garden | Subjects | Books
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ASIN: 0967882001

Book Description

Providing activities for "Birdie Buzzsaws" and "Avian Einsteins" is a challenging and ongoing task for companion parrot owners. Parrot-Toys and Play Areas covers all aspects of play and encourages owners to "put some fun" into their parrot's life. Whether they choose to purchase or make their own parrot toys or play areas, bird owners will find this book loaded with practical advice, safety tips, and loads of ideas for both toys and play areas. By identifying their parrot's Play Style, an owner can find out what kinds of toys their parrot really likes. The Eleven Parrot Toy Categories then make toy selection fun and easy. In Part 2, play areas become exciting Parrot Adventure Stations with buying guides and building instructions.

Customer Reviews:

Great Book!.......2007-10-04

The toy & play gym directions are easy to understand and thorough. I highly recommend this book!!

Great directions and ideas for all birds........2007-08-26

I absolutely love this book. I made the small gym for my Conure and Quaker. The Conure absolutely adores it. She begs to go play on it. The Quaker is a little more subdued but is warming up to it since I added a container of seeds.

There are a lot of great ideas for toys. They help you identify the kind of bird you have as far as what kind of toys they would be interested in and that is a great help.

Parrot toy and Play areas.......2007-07-30

I've read the entire book, and it has so much helpful information on using simple items found around the house, or that are inexpensive to purchace. I can't wait to make the play stand for my birds.

Parrot Toys.......2007-07-16

I bought this book hoping to get ideas to make toys for my parrot, maybe save some money. The book is informative as far as learning about why parrots need these toys and the like, I was hoping for more pictures of toys and ideas, maybe a website or two on where to find the 'ingredients'.

Parrot-Toys and Play Areas:How to Put Some Fun Into Your Parrot's Life.......2007-06-09

The book is terrific., I would like see some absolute instructions on Parrot Toy Building, however.

Average customer rating:

A MUST READ for any bird owner!!!!
Great Learning Tool
A very good beginner book!
EXCELENT
Help with problem parrots.

Guide to a Well-Behaved Parrot
Mattie Sue Athan
Manufacturer: Barron's Educational Series
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0764110306

Product Description

Barrons Books Guide to a Well Behaved Parrot

Customer Reviews:

A MUST READ for any bird owner!!!!.......2007-07-13

This is an amazing book! There are so many tips and suggestions for correcting or preventing bad behaviors in birds. The ideal time to read this would be before even bringing the parrot home, but it is a must read for all bird owners. The parrot world is evolving and new things are being learned all the time.....read it to learn!!!!

Great Learning Tool.......2007-04-10

I am new to parrots and this book literally takes you by the hand and addresses whatever issue you are having. I highly recommend it.

A very good beginner book!.......2007-03-26

My hubbie decided to petsit his uncle's macaw but we had no idea why she acted the way she did. She would screech loudly, try to bite us, & if we tried to get her down from our shoulder she would run to our back. We needed information. This book didn't disappoint! Chapter 2 was a treasure trove of information. It had games you could play with your parrot, also how to get your parrot to stop biting. The wobble correction method is what we have been using. Chapter 3 was about developing behavior patterns. This chapter was great in helping us realize height does matter. We were letting Baby D(parrot's name) get on our shoulder and also letting her roam on the top of her cage. She was getting very aggresive and we couldn't understand why.Letting her spend time in places that were high was making her think she was the boss. Chapter 5 Common behavior problems talks about dealing with screaming, chewing, and boredom in birds. It also talks more about the height factor. Chapter 7 talks about reading parrot body language and the pitfalls of leaving your parrot home alone all day.

I learned alot by this book. Parrots are alot of responsibility but they are also lovable. I know they have times when they screech and scream but if you follow this book you should you should have a better behaved parrot most of the time. I see some impovement already in baby D. This book has loads of information that should help you understand all about your new parrot.

EXCELENT.......2007-02-06

One of the best books with a thorough guidance how to treat your parrot and skills for a well behaved bird.

Help with problem parrots........2007-01-12

This book is filled with great ideas for how to deal with every crazy parrot behavioural problem you might encounter, as well as practical strategies to keep them from developing in the first place!

The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill: A Love Story . . . with Wings

Average customer rating:

Really good book
Parrots for everyone!
Love on Wings
Even better than the movie
On the Wings of Love...

The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill: A Love Story . . . with Wings
Mark Bittner
Manufacturer: Three Rivers Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 140008170X
Release Date: 2005-01-25

Book Description

Like a lot of young people in the 1970s, Mark Bittner took the path of the “dharma bum.” When the counterculture faded, Mark held on, seeking shelter in the nooks and crannies of San Francisco’s fabled bohemian neighborhood, North Beach. While living on the eastern slope of Telegraph Hill, he made a magical discovery: a flock of wild parrots. In this unforgettable story, Bittner recounts how he became fascinated by the birds and patiently developed friendships with them that would last more than six years. When a documentary filmmaker comes along to capture the phenomenon on film, the story takes a surprising turn, and Bittner’s life truly takes flight.

“A fascinating love story with wings.” —Boston Herald

“[A] charming memoir. For devoted birders everywhere.” —Reader’s Digest, Editor’s Choice

“[An] inspirational saga of one man finding his life’s meaning in the most serendipitous way.” —San Jose Mercury News

“Instructive, surprising, sweet.” —Gary Snyder, author of Turtle Island and Mountains and Rivers Without End

Customer Reviews:

Really good book.......2007-07-20

This book was recommended to me by someone whose taste in books I questioned. However, I must say this is a well-written, fascinating book. For animals lovers, in particular, you will truly enjoy this story.

Parrots for everyone!.......2007-07-12

What a thrill to learn about Mark Bittner's love and care of the flock of (mostly) cherryheads. I'm not even a bird person, but I was just mesmerized a couple of years ago by a story I heard on NPR about a flock of parrots. I'm still not sure it was the San Francisco flock, but imagine my surprise when I saw Mark's book on my emailed Page-A-Day calendar.

Reading the story was like being there. I learned to like Mark in spite of my reservations in the beginning; couldn't wait to watch the film.

Only a week after finishing the book, I was reading the intro to another book and the author (Jim Palmer) introduced himself as a lover of quirky films that no one else knows about, like "The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill." I considered it a "God-sign."

Read this book; you'll love it.

Love on Wings.......2007-06-27

I throughly enjoyed this true story with a happy ending.
It was written with heart and soul.
And touched mine.

Even better than the movie.......2007-01-03

I watched the movie prior to reading the book.

I enjoyed both but in particular the book.

Mark is a very good writer, especially when you consider that he has no formal training, that I am aware of.

This is a book that you can read again a few months later and be entertained all over again.

On the Wings of Love..........2006-12-26

They say he may have been a modern bohemian Saint Francis living in San Francisco and befriending wild parrots. Or maybe he was simply a man returning (for some time) to the original state of humankind living in harmony with the creatures. Yes, this is the story of wild parrots and a semi-wild man and how they danced, sang, ate seeds, and lived together for six years. Perched high upon a hill overlooking the San Francisco bay, the ancient story of human befriending wild beasts unfolded. The kind of tale that fascinates us today just as it would have fascinated our ancestors in ancient times. Such stories will always fascinate us humans, whenever a gentle, loving heart opens itself to the magic and mystery of creation and engages in a dance of truth with life.

Mark Bittner writes: "In 1988, I took a job as the caretaker of a house on the east side of Telegraph Hill. Two years later I spotted four parrots in the gardens outside my home. Within three years the flock had grown to twenty-six, and I was in love. I spent the next six years making friends with them and learning their ways... I watched them for several years with tremendous curiosity. What were wild parrots doing in San Francisco? Then one day a few of them flew to my fire escape, and my whole life changed..."

In 1996 Mark began writing a book about his experiences with these colorful, fascinating birds. He came to know each parrot individually and personally. Each one has its unique personality, quirks, friendships, courtships, and life pathways. Mark wrote his observations in a journal of the lives of Mingus, Connor, Picasso, Sophie, Olive, Pushkin, Tupelo, and many other parrots whom he named, fed, observed, cared for, and befriended. He also photographed the birds, with stunning results. The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill: A Love Story... With Wings is the highly acclaimed, charming, and best-selling result of Mark's six years with the birds.

Judy Irving, a filmmaker, began creating a documentary of Mark's work with the parrots in 1998. This resulted in her extraordinary documentary, also called The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill. Although the title is the same as the book, the book and film focus on somewhat different aspects of the story. The film (available on DVD) is as much a study of Mark as it is of the parrots. While working on the film, Judy and Mark fell in love. They are now married and living in the gardens of Telegraph Hill. Mark is currently working on a book about his years of living on the street prior to his encounter with the parrots. Judy continues making her high quality films on the environment.

If you read the book or watch the film, you will find that Mark's bird-friends become your friends. James D. Gilardi, Ph.D., Director of the World Parrot Trust, writes: "By falling in with a flock of wild parrots, Bittner has learned more about a real parrot society than those of us studying wild or captive parrots could ever hope to learn." But of course, the book isn't just about parrots. As one reviewer of Mark's book wrote: "By the end of his tale, you will no longer see humans as the center of the universe, if you ever did." And by the time the screen credits are rolling at the end of the film, you will find yourself transformed by this beautifully touching and compelling story.

What I loved especially about both the film and the book is experiencing how Mark himself evolves and transforms through his relationship with the parrots and eventually through his relationship with Judy. He was a lost musician, a street person, a post-beatnik, searching for truth and "right living" as taught by Buddhism. He took odd jobs, tried this and that, but never quite found his path. Until he met the parrots. And then Judy. We sense that the story is far from over, and we yearn to know more of its unfolding... I wish that Judy and Mark would write, or document in film or photographs, more about their personal lives since the publication and dissemination of their book and film. The film opens you up to the delight of these two people, and one yearns to know more. Like the parrots, Judy and Mark have become our friends through the magic of the book and film.

To experience the magic yourself, view the film or DVD, read the book, view Mark's photos, and check out Mark's and Judy's websites. You'll be glad that you did! Beautiful story, beautiful people, beautiful birds.

Yes, if you are a lover of nature, both human and animal, I highly recommend this book and the film/DVD.

Average customer rating:

Parrot in the Oven Kids Review
nothing spectacular in Parrot...
Lacking Plot
NON-FICTION
Parrot In The Oven

Parrot in the Oven: Mi vida
Victor Martinez
Manufacturer: Rayo
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0064471861
Release Date: 2004-12-28

Amazon.com

It's no wonder that Parrot in the Oven won the 1996 National Book Award for Young People's Fiction. Victor Martinez's lush, evocative prose leaps from the page, grabbing the reader by the throat right from the start. Not only do we witness Manuel Hernandez's coming of age, we feel every juicy moment of it: his ache for something just out of reach, the confusion of seeing his family with new eyes, the tickle and flood of awakening passion. It's difficult to portray transformation from the inside, but Martinez does so with grace and power.

Book Description

Dad believed people were like money. You could be a thousand-dollar person or a hundred-dollar person -- even a ten-, five-, or one-dollar person. Below that, everybody was just nickels and dimes. To my dad, we were pennies.

Fourteen-year-old Manny Hernandez wants to be more than just a penny. He wants to be a vato firme, the kind of guy people respect. But that's not easy when your father is abusive, your brother can't hold a job, and your mother scrubs the house as if she can wash her troubles away.

In Manny's neighborhood, the way to get respect is to be in a gang. But Manny's not sure that joining a gang is the solution. Because, after all, it's his life -- and he wants to be the one to decide what happens to it.

Customer Reviews:

Parrot in the Oven Kids Review.......2007-05-11

We think that this book is good for kids who are age 10 and up. Our favorite part of the book is when Victor has family problems with his mom and dad. This is one of the most important parts of the book that many students can relate to. The book is about a boy named Victor with family problems, and the reader learns about his entire life. The people who would like this book are people who enjoy real life stories, such as an autobiography.

nothing spectacular in Parrot..........2007-05-03

I'm sorry but I really do not see what was special in Martinez' *Parrot in the Oven* that reaped him some awards. I did not see anything special about the story. However, I do agree that Martinez does have a way with words. They were eye-catching and made you wonder.

*Parrot in the Oven* is divided into chapters that each one focuses on one particular topic. While there is a subtle storyline throughout, the overall picture is blurred. There's that "missing link" that prevents you from knowing each characters in the book. Simply, there's no depth other than with Manny.

The book is told from Manny's perspectives. His dad has lost his job. He simply goes to the local pool hall and spends whatever money he can find and gets drunk. The mother is constantly cleaning the house. His older brother is never home and constantly has a new job. His older sister is secretive. His baby sister is simply a brat.

Manny tells his experiences with school, White people, boxing, and the gang. Most of all, he tells how these experiences impact his family and their world-view.

*Parrot in the Oven* is an alright book. It's nothing that you'd go around and recommend this book to friends. Just simply ok. The only best thing is Martinez' ways with words.

Lacking Plot.......2007-02-15

Manuel is fourteen years old and living close to the Mexican border. He is Mexican-American himself. His life is full of conflicts, from his father who is alcoholic and abusive and can't seem to keep a job, to his passive mother who lets herself be scared and abused, to his three siblings.

This books is about Manuel's struggle to find himself and to figure out his life. It takes the reader on a journey through about a year in Manuel's life, and we get to see the things he interacts with daily, from his family situation to the bullies who live on his street, to the other people who surround him. Even though he sometimes has problems, like when he is invited to a party full of all white kids and things start to go bad, Manuel always manages to keep his head on his shoulders and get through things okay. Even though his family is dysfunctional, the reader is able to see some good in them.

The language in this book is beautiful; the author has a gift for stringing together very poetic sentences. However, there wasn't any sort of cohesive storyline. I kept trying to wrestle the individual parts of the story into a plot, and was frustrated when they remained disjointed until the end.

NON-FICTION.......2007-02-06

Something that many readers do not realize is that Parrot in the Oven is complete non-fiction. Understanding this, hopefully many will now see that Martinez is not free to create the most climactic and action-packed plot possible. Still, Parrot in the Oven is a wonderfully juxtaposed story of a boy's journey through the early stages of adolescence, detailing his struggle through prevalent racist mentalities and social boundaries. Beautiful, even more so if you understand that it's non-fiction.

Parrot In The Oven.......2006-11-03

Manny is a 14-year-old kid who wants to be more than just a penny he wants to be a vato firme. Parrot in the Oven is by Victor Martinez. This book is about a dad that is abusive, his brother can't hold a job, and mom acts like she can scrub all her problems away. I like this book because it is interesting. This book is interesting because dad tries to kill mom with his rifle, dad went to jail, Manny helps his brother on the job, Magda is having a baby and Manny is going to a party that he doesn't fill right going to. It has, causes and effects like dad tries to kill mom, dad goes to jail. I won't to read this book again and again. The author properly wrote even better books then Parrot in the Oven. Yes, I would recommend this book to others. Like my mother because she likes the books we read as a class and she knows the Spanish lines because she speaks Spanish.

Average customer rating:

The title is the only light thing about this vivid, edgy crime novel
What if?
Well the Parrot Might Not be Into Talking But Everyone Who's Read a Parker Adventure Will Tell You This, Read Them All!
Stark is the Man
Parker among the straights

Ask the Parrot
Richard Stark
Manufacturer: Mysterious Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Contemporary | General | Literature & Fiction | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 089296068X

Book Description

Racing through the backwoods of Massachusetts and on the vergeof being taken down for one of the biggest and most disastrous bank heiststhe state has ever seen, Parker runs right into the barrel of a gun pointedfrom the "wrong" side of the law. A quiet but angry recluse--with only asilent parrot for company--Tom Lindahl saves Parker from the police dogs,while enmeshing him in a dubious, highly dangerous, but potentiallyprofitable scheme. Far more than some aimless indigent holed up in a shackin the woods, Lindahl is a man built on rage and driven by a thirst forrevenge. A whistleblower whom nobody listened to, a man tossed aside by acorrupt political establishment, Lindahl now plans a daring act ofvengeance, and Parker holds the key.

Customer Reviews:

The title is the only light thing about this vivid, edgy crime novel.......2007-04-19

The name "Parker" represents a lot of pleasure for this mystery and thriller fan: it's the name of a favorite author- Robert B. Parker- who several times a year delivers thoughtful, fast-paced novels featuring a variety of tough guy (and girl!) protagonists. It's also the name of Richard Stark's professional thief character, who every year or two undertakes a dangerous, complicated caper for our reading pleasure. "Ask the Parrot" is no exception, and it has the added bonus of a slightly different feel, a slightly more edgy situation, than we've seen in the past. Here, you see, Parker is coming off the cliffhanger ending of the previous entry- "Nobody Runs Forever"- so first he has to deal with all the cops on his tail from that story before getting involved in the new caper featured here. And when the new caper commences, he still has to deal with the threat of capture from the old caper that blew up in his face. It's all great, page-turning stuff, laced with all the usual Richard Stark (aka Donald Westlake) reliables: dangerous situations; edgy, no-nonsense prose; wry observations about the quirks of American society; and vivid characterizations, often of life's losers, near-losers, and fringe characters. Twenty-some books strong now, this series is still a dynamite read.

What if?.......2007-03-27

When I'm feeling anti-social nothing perks me up like a Parker novel. Parker is a criminal--he's a bad guy. If it comes down to a contest between you and Parker--you lose. However, Parker is smart. Parker knows that killing brings on the heat worse than anything else. So, if you choose to cross Parker you only need fear death if you are a real threat. Parker is too smart to kill everyone that causes him problems. Therein lies the fun of the Parker novels, we see how someone unencumbered by law chooses to solve the dilemma with logic, finesse and if all else fails--a bullet to the head. It is precisely his disregard for law and conventional standards of behavior that make these novels so fun.

Fun? Oh, put away the moral indignation. A Parker novel isn't going to persuade you to adopt a life of larceny. Rather, they help one understand the value of the common bonds of law. Frankly, anyone who can see a lasting peace and enjoyment in Parker's line of work is probably already living the life.

In "Ask the Parrot" we see what happens when Parker crosses paths with a straight (i.e. law-abiding citizen) in a time of dire need. Parker's last job went awry and the heat is on. Parker's new friend helps him out. To say more risks spoiling the story and that would be a real crime.

Well the Parrot Might Not be Into Talking But Everyone Who's Read a Parker Adventure Will Tell You This, Read Them All!.......2007-03-18

Ask the Parrot picks up where we left Parker at the end of the novel Nobody Runs Forever. Whilst you don't need to have read that book to understand or enjoy this novel, doing so does paint a better picture for you as to why Parker is fleeing with the dogs in pursuit. In fact I would recommend reading all the modern Parker novels since Westlake brought him back for readers through his alter ego Richard Stark with the novel Comeback. Read the ones written before that as well but Comeback is a good place to start if you haven't experienced Parker before.

Ask the Parrot is a bit slower paced then most other Parker adventures with less professionals and more amateurs, but it's still a great read. While fleeing the police possie Parker runs into a stranger with a riffle who tells parker to get into his car. The stranger (Tom Lindahl) was looking for Parker, but not to hand him over to the police, no he has grander plans for Parker. Lindahl wants vengeance against his old employer (a racetrack) who fired him, he sees Parker as the ally he needs to accompany him in stealing the racetracks takings. Parker is grateful for the help in escaping the posse, not that this alone would have made him help Lindahl but he does need somewhere to lay low until the police give up and he's never been one to turn down an opportunity that could be quite lucrative so he might as well check it out. Lindahl soon realises Parker is a ruthless criminal and begins to have doubts about his own welfare. Other town locals also see Parker as an easy means to even easier money. Non of them of course realise Parker doesn't react to friendly to those who wish him harm.

Read all of the Parker novels as well as great books such as The Ax, Smoke, The Hook and other Westlake masterpieces written under his own name as well!

Stark is the Man.......2007-02-17

Picking up where 2004's NOBODY RUNS FOREVER left off, this begins with Stark's anti-hero Parker being pursued by cops, police dogs, helicopters, and a large posseafter a bank robbery gone bad. Climbing up the side of a mountain with no apparent means of escape, he runs into an armed townie named Lindhal who offers the criminal a hiding place. But Lindhal has a price.

Unjustly fired by the racing track he used to work at, he wants to take his revenge, and he wants the fugitive Parker's help.

Like the previous twenty-two Parker adventures, the pleasure in the story comes from watching the sociopath Parker do his thing without remorse or regret, and seeing how normal people react to this walking crimewave.

Since empathizing with a hero who kills, tortures, steals, and shows zero emotion is impossible, Stark shows us the dreams, hopes, and fears of the supporting cast. Some of them we like. Some of them we don't. And we never know who Parker is going to kill at any given moment.

I read my first Parker book in the early 1980s, and was entranced by the clipped prose, the detailed descriptions of criminal activity, and reading the point of view of someone who is an irredeemable criminal, yet can't be characterized as evil.

Parker, who hasn't really evolved much in the last 40 years, is basically the human equivilant of a shark. He isn't malevolent or sadistic. He's simply single-minded in purpose, and his purpose is to survive. Robbery is how he makes his living, and he'll get the job done by any means necessary.

Like the previous Parker novels, this one involves a caper where the carefully laid plans get screwed up by human error, and not everyone gets out alive.

Parker remains as fresh and as compelling as he was forty years ago, and Stark's genius lies in making us root for the bad guy, even as we fear he's going to kill someone we like.

Parker has been portrayed several times in movies (Lee Marvin, Peter Coyote, Robert Duvall, and Mel Gibson have all had a shot at it) and many crime writers, including Max Allan Collins, James Ellroy, Stephen King, and Dan Simmons, have been influenced by Stark, who is really author Donald Westlake.

The reason for his longevity and success is obvious: Stark writes great crime novels with an unusual protagonist. ASK THE PARROT is no exception.

Parker among the straights.......2007-01-11

First I have to say that Stark's body of work easily rates five stars compared to anyone else writing crime thrillers that I know of. Three stars for this one is by comparison with the others since "Comeback". They just had more going on. "Ask the Parrot" (wonderful title) is quieter and works on a smaller stage. In fact, as I think about it, (especially recalling the chapter from the parrot's point of view) perhaps I'm underrating it. Stark keeps on inserting the catalyst named Parker into social chemistry, setting off satisfying new explosions every time.

Parrots of the World: An Identification Guide

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Great service
New Forshaw
Classic reference
Parrots of the World: An Identification Guide by Joseph M. Forshaw
Excellent Color Guide to Parrots

Parrots of the World: An Identification Guide
Joseph M. Forshaw
Manufacturer: Princeton University Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0691092516

Book Description

From the macaws of South America to the cockatoos of Australia, parrots are among the most recognizable, and endangered, birds on earth. But until now, no easy-to-use guide existed for the identification of all species and subspecies of these colorful creatures.

Enter Parrots of the World, the most comprehensive handbook for distinguishing some 350 species of parrots from across the globe. Lavishly illustrated, with more than 120 color plates and additional illustrations, the book covers parrots in homes, zoos, and in the wild, providing detailed descriptions of their key identifying features.

By allowing readers to easily narrow their search to specific geographic areas, the book will prove especially useful to those interested in parrots of a particular locale. Descriptive distribution maps show the geographic location of the different species, and an entire section is devoted to ecological and behavioral information relevant to identification. In addition, the guide differentiates Old World and New World species and points out significant sex or age differences in plumage coloration.

Parrots of the World will provide enormous help to those engaged in gathering important field data and monitoring international trade, two initiatives that are of critical importance to the conservation of parrots worldwide.

Clear, complete, and colorful, this is one guidebook that no museum, research institution, zoo, or bird enthusiast will want to be without.

Key Features:

Easy-to-use, geographic guide
Treats some 350 species
Color distribution maps for all species
Lavishly illustrated, with more than 120 color plates and additional illustrations
Includes ecological and behavioral information

Customer Reviews:

Great service.......2007-08-28

Book as described and would be more than happy to order again as service was great.

New Forshaw.......2007-04-11

A gorgeous book. More usable than the previous edition: physically smaller (still a coffee-table book, but lighter & smaller - binding should hold up now), much more up to date, no more hunting for pictures. Downsides: text refers to color plates but color plates don't refer back to text, and a short bibliography ( <100 cites. It does cite the previous edition and Juniper & Parr, each with over 700 cites, but you'd need those to track references). Compared to Juniper & Parr's Parrots: A Guide to Parrots of the World, it's cheaper, more recent and better for phylogeny; but has less information about each species and doesn't cite references for each species. The larger size allows an elegant layout but makes it a poor field guide.

Classic reference.......2007-02-12

This is a classic reference book and is an unmissable volume in any bird lover's library. The colour plates are beautiful, and it provides substantial information. All in all a lovely book to have!

Parrots of the World: An Identification Guide by Joseph M. Forshaw.......2007-01-04

The Parrots of the World: An Identification Guide by Joseph M. Forshaw is an excellant book that shows beautiful color pictures of the Parrots, tells where the Parrots are from with a colored map of the area they are originally from in the wild. Also the book tells in detail the color and size of the Parrots. I would highly recommend it for anyone interested in recognizing the different Parrots.

Excellent Color Guide to Parrots.......2006-11-11

This book has great pictures from several angles of the species covered. It is not extremely thorough, so if you are interested in one species in particular, I would recommend getting a book specifically on that species. Otherwise, it's an excellent reference to have around.

Parrot Training: A Guide to Taming and Gentling Your Avian Companion (Pets)

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Excellent Book!
GREAT BOOK
Great book
Parrot Training: A Guide to Taming and Gentling You Avian Companion
Great book but beware ...

Parrot Training: A Guide to Taming and Gentling Your Avian Companion (Pets)
Bonnie Munro Doane
Manufacturer: Howell Book House
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0764563270

Book Description

In paperback at last — the definitive guide to parrot training.

Originally published as The Pleasure of Their Company: An Owner's Guide to Parrot Training, this amply illustrated book is just what parrot owners need to bring up happy, well-behaved pets. You get:

Hands-on advice from one of the nation's foremost parrot authorities
A thorough explanation of "normal" parrot behavior and the benefits of training
Coverage of everything from gentling fledglings and basic obedience to potty training, speech, and tricks"

Customer Reviews:

Excellent Book!.......2007-10-09

This book was a godsend for me. I was blessed with a beautiful 19 year old parrot that was given to me. Fortunately I found this book. It addressed all of our problems. I'd recommend this book to anyone looking for advice.

GREAT BOOK.......2007-02-06

This is a great book dealing with parrot training. People can find any information for various problems relating to parrot behaviorism.

Great book.......2006-03-08

I'm so glad I purchased this book. It gave me the information I need to raise a happy, well-adjusted bird. The information on body language was quite helpful.

Parrot Training: A Guide to Taming and Gentling You Avian Companion.......2006-03-05

there is a lot of information in this book.

Great book but beware ..........2005-11-11

I have had my African Grey for about a three weeks and have been reading everything I could get my hands on before I brought her home. I really loved this book, but wanted to let folks know that this book is a reprint of the book by the same author titled "The Pleasures of Their Company: An Owner's Guide to Parrot Training [Hardcover]. Don't make the same mistake I made and order both.

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Teaching Your Bird to Talk review
My parrot started to talk !
Very good.
Teaching Your Bird to Talk
This book has good basic information for the beginner in bird care or ownership as well as advanced information.

Teaching Your Bird to Talk
Diane Grindol , and Tom Roudybush
Manufacturer: Howell Book House
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 076454165X

Book Description

From two noted experts-the first in-depth book on teaching your bird to talk

Teaching a bird to talk isn't as difficult as it may seem. In this easy-to-follow guide, avian experts Diane Grindol and Tom Roudybush reveal how you can communicate with your parrot far beyond "hello" and, in turn, understand what your bird is trying to communicate to you.

Teaching Your Bird to Talk compiles an impressive amount of background, training, and research regarding bird vocalizations, walking you step by step through the behavioral mechanics of training parrots to talk (as well as starlings, mynahs, and other birds). Whether you want your bird to mimic words, talk on cue, or have some understanding of what you are saying, this guide shows you the type of training you need to do with your bird. The book also takes a close look at the work of Dr. Irene Pepperberg-the world's foremost authority in the field of parrot intelligence and trainer of Alex the African Grey Parrot.

Identifies which species of bird are likely to talk and which aren't
Explores field research on regional languages and dialects of parrots in the wild
Features true stories from owners of talking birds
Explains how to handle problems with vocal parrots, such as screaming and using inappropriate language
Offers tips on feeding and housing birds, and finding an avian veterinarian

Download Description

From two noted experts, the first in-depth book on teaching a bird to talk. Teaching a bird to talk isnt as difficult as it may seem. This easy-to-follow book walks the reader step by step through the behavioral mechanics of teaching a bird to talk, covering the species likely to talk, the anatomical reasons a bird can talk, and the way a parrot picks up language. It explores field research showing that parrots have regional languages and dialects in the wild and also takes a close look at the work of Dr. Irene Pepperberg, an undisputed authority and well-known researcher in the field of parrot intelligence, who was interviewed extensively for this book.

Customer Reviews:

Teaching Your Bird to Talk review.......2007-07-28

I am not quite finished with this book yet, but I am very pleased with the information and how it is presented in this book. I have read several other books on Parrots and this is by far the best one. There is more information than just teaching your bird to talk.
I highly recomment this book to anyone who owns a parrot with the potential to talk!

My parrot started to talk !.......2006-11-17

I waited more than six months after I bought this book to try the techniques inside it before I wrote my review. Although I was using some methods mentioned inside the book but this book encouraged me to keep using them and also adds some amazing methods and ideas that were very helpful, useful and easy to imply. Simply, my old African Grey Parrot started to talk, and that was my fist experience in such thing and I really feel grateful to this book and to the efforts inside it. I am giving four stars since I feel some information are ideas need proves rather than facts. However, aiming to make your African talk, buy this book and be patient.

Very good........2006-11-05

A wonderful reference and book guide for teaching a Quaker Parrot to talk.

Teaching Your Bird to Talk.......2006-02-27

When I bought this book I thought I was buying a book that would help me teach my parrot to talk. Although I do know that there are no guarantees about which bird will talk and what method works, I wanted tips and advice on how to help my parrot learn.

This books gives no such information. It covers why parrots talk, which parrots talk and lots of stories about talking parrots, but no real information on teaching my bird to talk. The only chapter I liked was the one about the Model/Rival-method, which is a detailed chapter on teaching a parrot to talk with cognition, understanding the words it uses. However, the bird must alredy be talking for this method to work.

What I wanted was an answer to these questions: Do constant, out of context, repetitions work? Does plaing a casette work? Would it help to have talking sessions? Does my tone of voice matter? How can I get my bird to talk more clearly? How can I get my bird to talk in front of strangers?

This book has good basic information for the beginner in bird care or ownership as well as advanced information........2005-08-14

Two authors have teamed up to write this book titled Teaching Your Bird to Talk. The two of them have plenty of experience with birds.

The first chapter is a "must read" for someone just thinking about bringing a bird into the family. All to often, the idea of having a pet that can talk to you, overshadows the time and commitment required to look after this pet.

To help us understand a little about talking, they give information about how and why birds make sounds. Birds that make sounds all year round instead of just at breeding times may be possible good talkers.

If a talking bird is what you are looking for, the chapter Who Talks and Who Doesn't will be of interest to you. It is also expained that not every bird in the talking list will talk, but they have the potential to talk. The birds that talk clearly are identified as well as the birds that simply do not talk. Although parrots are the most common talking birds, there is also a list of non-parrot birds that are known for talking ability.

The chapter Parrots Jump Into The Conversation contains input from several people who wrote in about conversations with their pet birds and is a lot of fun to read.

The Model/Rival Training Technique chapter explains how this method of training is used and this is the way that Alex, the famous African Grey Parrot belonging to Dr. Pepperberg was trained.

Of course, the whole book is not just about teaching your bird to talk. There is wonderful advice on general pet bird care, solving problems, playing games with your bird, and what to do if your bird turns out to be a non talker.

This book has good basic information for the beginner in bird care or ownership as well as advanced information for those who have experience with birds.

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