Book Description

This best sellar, now in its eighth edition, makes chemistry exciting by showing why important concepts are relavant to the lives and future careers of readers. The new design, digital images, photos, Career Focus features, and macro-to-micro art enhance the new edition while it retains the many features that have made this book so successful. The writing, as always, is exceptionally friendly. Each section contains sample problems that develop readers' critical-thinking skills. This edition also contains more conceptual problems than ever before and has been redesigned to accomodate new styles of learning and teaching with a wide variety of pedagogical tools.Health and Environmental Notes throughout the book highlight topics that are relevant to readers' lives and are ideal for classroom discussion. Explore Your World activities in each chapter make chemistry exciting, relevant, and non-threatening.This book is ideally suited for the allied health student, or anyone interested in general, organic, or biological chemistry. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Life saving personal tutor
I recently took chemistry part II after not having chemistry for several years. This book was a life saver. I was able to pull many examples from it to guide me when I did my homework. Chemistry is tough enough by itself, but this book really helped. All the answers are there so you can test yourself on one part, and then see the answers with explinations on another part. Everything was easy to understand in this book. I highly recommend this Study Guide. This Study Guide will save you a lot of time at the tutor, and keep you from pulling your hair out while figuring out chemistry.

Chemistry by Karen C. Timberlake
This is an excellent book. I tutor students who are going into the allied health professions, and some have never had chemistry before now. The chapters are clearly written with sample problems after each topic and end-of-chapter problems. I refer to it for exercises for my students. It is the best that I have found so far. ... Read more

Book Description

THE bestselling four-color book/multimedia package in the field, this introduction to criminal justice provides a realistic description of the American criminal justice system and how it works—police, courts, and corrections. Using a three-pronged thematic approach, it provides an intricately woven picture of contemporary American criminal justice, assumes a forward-looking perspective that recognizes the importance of individual rights, social order, multiculturalism, and high-technology as they affect the day-to-day practice of criminal justice, and gives serious emphasis to terrorism as a crime. Incorporates the most authoritative, reliable, and current information, statistics, and court cases, and provides citations to online criminal justice mega-sources that are constantly updated. Features a variety of issues-oriented, career, and “the future” boxes throughout. An accompanying simulations CD features real-life scenarios based on actual U.S. Supreme Court cases that enable readers to put themselves in the role(s) of police officer, judge, probation officer, legislator, and corrections official.What Is Criminal Justice? The Crime Picture. The Search for Causes. Criminal Law. Policing: History and Structure. Police Management. Policing: Legal Aspects. The Courts. The Courtroom Work Group and the Criminal Trial. Sentencing. Probation, Parole, and Community Corrections. Prisons and Jails. Prison Life. Juvenile Justice. Drugs and Crime. Multinational Criminal Justice. The Future of Criminal Justice.For those in law enforcement, the court system, corrections, juvenile delinquency, probation, parole, and private security. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

EXCELLENT INTRODUCTION
Relatively up to date (September 11 and law enforcement reactions, USA PATRIOT Act, etc.), and very informative, this textbook provides an excellent survey of the Criminal Justice System. The prose is streamlined, clear, and somewhat non-biased. Minor corrections may need to be made (e.g. the textbook states that the majority of female sexual assault victims do not know their attacker. . .), but these flaws are minor for a textbook of this scope. The book is extensively source documented, making it perfect for anyone interested in expanding their knowledge of the Criminal Justice System. The CD-ROM and online tools are comprehensive, and give the reader/student a more intimate view of the author's vision.

Criminal Justice.
This is the best book I have read on Criminal Justice. It is fun to read and easy to enjoy. I advise anybody that is interested on the field of criminal justice to begin with this book. ... Read more

Book Description

Essential Cell Biology, Second Edition contains basic, core knowledge about how cells work. It has a proven track record in providing students with a conceptual and accessible grounding in cell biology. The text and figures have been prepared to be easy-to-follow, accurate, clear and engaging for the introductory student. Each section follows logically from the previous one, telling a story, rather than being a collection of facts. Questions integrated throughout each chapter encourage the reader to pause, think about what they have read, and attempt to apply the new knowledge in ways that test their understanding. Based on user feedback, the Second Edition now offers increased coverage of genetics and more experimental background. It is completely up-to-date. ... Read more

Reviews (14)

A MUST HAVE FOR ANY EDUCATED PERSON
A gem of a book. It puts at the hands of lay people the wonders of molecular biology. The best way of spending $65 I can think of.

The text is a most refined product distilled by an all-star team of leading scientists. Oriented towards the lay person or the would be specialist, it is simple, unpretentious, sometimes even funny, but always powerfully explanatory. The diagrams are exceptionally clear (a must for explaining such complex subjects) and the photographs are astounding. Love for their subject and passion for teaching are present all along. And mysticism is always around the corner...

If you have ever wondered things like "What are exactly chromosomes?", "How do exactly enzymes work in the cell?", or "How the hell does all this machinery work at a purely chemical level ?" and you are not quite satisfied with popular science books, this one is for you. It will answer these questions and much, much more.

An enjoyable, deeply satisfying tour the force through the molecular level of all living organisms.

Don't miss it!

A lively and clear introduction to cell biology
I read this book during the summer prior to me senior year in high school, and literally could not put it down. I read the whole work cover-to-cover in a week.

Going in, my background in biology was an introductory cell biology course and my background in chemistry was an introductory chemistry class. That I had little formal training in the sciences was irrelevant when reading this; it explains all the concepts so clearly that I think even a person with no background in science at all could understand it. The diagrams and photos are well-done and highly pertinent.

This is not to say that this book is only for non-scientists. Indeed, I even used knowledge gleaned from this fantastic book to teach my teachers a thing or two. Perhaps the section on muscle contraction is the best written of all - no other book I have ever seen comes close to this in clarity, and this section was one that I recommended to my Anatomy and Physiology teacher for clarification about a few concepts.

I am soon to be a sophomore in college, and this book continues to inspire me on my path to be a professor (I study chemistry with an emphasis on chemical biology). This book was invaluable even in a rigorous microbiology course, not to mention other introductory courses.

In summary, I rarely leave home for extended periods without this text (literally). If there is ONE BOOK that you should buy for studying cellular and molecular biology, let it be this one (or, if you are so inclined, its larger brother, Molecular Biology of the Cell).

A great help for a 1st year Med Student
"Essential Cell Biology" by Bruce Alberts literally saved my 1st semester. The course went hard and the lectures were long and boring. And then - I opened the Essential, started reading, and suddenly things got clear for me. I got an A on the test, and now I know my Cell Biology well - all thanks to this book. Strongly recommended!!!

A textbook that inspires you to think
This book contains essential stuff enough for medical students, although not enough for biochemistry or biology students. But this book is still useful because whenever you read the book, you will be inspired to that particular field. It is written not as tedious and complex as those "big" textbooks. Easy to read. Interesting. I highly recommend this textbook.

But if you are looking for every detail in molecular biology, this book is not satisfactory.

A fairly useful introduction to cell biology
This is a beautifully presented book. My students like it enormously, because of the conversational style, the illustrations, and the overall readibility -and this is perhaps the highest aim a textbook can aspire to achieve.

However, I find that the authors have gone too far in their attempt to abridge and simplify their previous opus -Molecular Biology of the Cell (MBOC): some topics are insufficiently or superficially discussed. Also, the style is slightly verbose at times. Finally, I think that the book could benefit from some reorganization.

The following examples illustrate my point.

*Osmosis is given a very brief mention.(p 382).
*The repulsion for anything mathematic continues the tradition started by MBOC. The Nernst equation, is given just a little box in page 393. The Donnan effect doesn't even have a walk-on part.
*The discussion of action potential contains the usual story of the voltage gated K+ channels, when these channels are not found in myelinated mammalian neurons.
*Myelin itself is not even mentioned.
*The discussion on G protein-linked receptors -a key topic- is very superficial.
*Membrane potential is introduced in a rather convoluted fashion. Furthermore, the concept is used several times before it is finally explained.
*Certain sections may leave the reader confused. For example p53 is described as a gene regulatory protein which arrests the cycle when DNA damage occurs (p 580). But when tumor suppressor genes are discussed, only retinoblastoma is given as an example, which would tend to convey the mistaken idea that p53 is not a tumor suppressor gene. ... Read more

Book Description

"The medicine of the new millennium."--Larry Dossey, M.D., author of Healing Words

Dr. Mehmet Oz, celebrated heart surgeon and co-founder of the Complementary Care Center at New York's Columbia-Presbyterian Hospital, is spearheading the health-care revolution that is yielding powerful new healing tools that will forever change the way we think of medicine. In this ground-breaking book, he describes his pioneering work--combining cutting-edge Western medicine with such Eastern techniques as acupuncture and chi-gong, as well as such controversial therapies as hypnosis, music, massage, reflexology, aromatherapy, and energy healing. The inspiring and affecting stories of his patients are the heart of this book--from the extraordinary discipline of Frank Torre, who used his professional sports training to "psych" himself into healing after heart transplant surgery, to the "impossible" recovery of blues great Johnny Copeland, who was roused from a seemingly impenetrable coma through the force of his own music. In recounting his patients' experiences, Dr. Oz forges a blueprint for the radical new medicine of the next millennium--drawing on the best from Eastern and Western therapies and empowering patients to become partners with doctors in promoting their own recovery. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

YES, a powerful voice for Medicine with Hope and Warmth!
An inspiring doctor with a powerful but gentle voice. The more medicine opens up like this the better we are all going to be. I think everyone should read this book. Also HIGHLY RECOMMENDED is "Effortless Wellbeing: The Missing Ingredients for Authentic Wellness" by Evan Finer. Though not a medical book, it is a concise and extremely powerful guide to compliment any healing program, to induce true wellness and to help regain personal strength. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED READING. Thank you to the authors!!

The Medicine of the Future
Dr. Oz is an accomplished heart surgeon in the field of cardiac transplantation. He describes how he combines complementary medicine (e.g. hypnosis, reflexology, yoga, message, acupuncture. Etc) with orthodox Western medicine. There is an excellent forward by Dr Dean Ornish, and an interesting epilogue containing an overview of the complementary medicine techniques. The bulk of the book contains stories of patients Dr. Oz treated using this revolutionary way. I am a cardiologist, and I have a great interest in combining western medicine with complementary medicine, which is the reason I bought this book. However this book was a bit boring to read and was also a bit of a disappointment. Nevertheless, those interested in this new medicine, which I think will be the medicine of the new millennium, will want to read this book.

FANTASTIC BOOK - SUPERBLY WRITTEN!
What is impressive about this book is the author's concepts of healing both heart and mind as he points out just how closely the two are interconnected. The writing style is one that will grasp the reader's attention from start to finish. The approach to holistic health is a welcome approach to healing. It is a concept that is gradually increasing in the health care field, but one that still has a long way to go before it is universally accepted by all physicians. More education and information needs to be provided in this area to all health care providers. Using the holistic approach, there can be fewer side effects from medication, less depression and a general feeling of well being during the most trying and difficult times. There is much to be said on combining Western and Eastern traditions in the process of healing. Our world can benefit dramatically from this approach and the author vividly explains why throughout the pages of this well-researched and superbly written book. It is highly recommended reading material and most deserving of a five star rating.

Best book of the year
A great book describing an insiders view of what total healing can mean in today's complex medical care system. The book has deservedly won the Books for Better America award for Best Wellness Book of the Year and should be required reading for all patients contemplating surgery.

This book was fantastic - for the sick and healthy alike.
Dr. Mehmet has given me a new perspective on holistic health and disease. As my mother is going through the breast cancer battle, I am incorporating many of his suggestions for heart patients: soothing music after the mastectomy, foot massages as she fades in and out of conciousness, arranging to have someone loved at the bedside constantly. I am looking into getting a masseuse to come in and perform foot massage as her body receives chemotherapy. As a result of this, her attitude is positive and I believe that has a grave impact on how her body reacts to all of this trauma. I'm waiting impatiently for his next book. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (694)

An Important Book
The value of Barbara Ehrenreich's troubling, but remarkable investigation of the dearth of opportunity faced by working class Americans, is evident from the gamut of highly emotional reactions it has raised here.

Many readers seem enormously offended simply on the grounds that Ehrenreich was not actually a member of the working class, and only "visited" a life of poverty and toil. These readers take great pains to say that poverty is a serious issue, while discounting the book on the grounds that Ehrenreich - who holds a PhD of all the horrible things! - has no right to raise it. This is a willfully deluded argument which would seem to white wash all kinds of investigative journalism across the board. The attacks on Ehrenreich's credentials appear designed to avoid a discussion of the book itself, a low but familiar critical tactic, shooting the messenger to destroy the message.

It is understandable, however, that people would seek to look away from the experiences that Ehrenreich relates from her sojourns in the waitressing, housekeeping, and retailing industries. The pay is meager, the work is often backbreaking, and the management is consistently exploitative. You may already have suspected this to be the case, but the hard details in Nickel and Dimed - of trying to find housing, of applying for community aid, of unpaid overtime, and a thousand other tiny indignities - confront the reader with the vivid reality of how many of their fellow human beings are forced to live.

Terrific book, terrific writing
I love this book. Some people seem to find it hard to believe that a person can't "get by" on minimum wage, or that people get stuck in low-paying jobs - some claim that "everyone starts at minimum wage in life, but they get promoted and make more", etc. That doesn't always happen, or even happen that often. Ms. Ehrenreich's book shows the struggles she faced in just a short term experiment, but imagine trying to do it for the long haul - there are other crises that occur in the lives of working people - such as, lack of medical insurance - a HUGE problem - and car troubles, to name a couple. In this book, Ms. Ehrenreich was working during the warmer months - God knows what she may have encountered during the winter in Maine or Minnesota!But this terrific book gives a glimpse into the lives of the working poor, even with everyone seemingly going right for Ms. Ehrenreich. By the way, several reviewers have claimed that she has 'contempt' for the poor, and has a snobby, yuppie-ish attitude. Nothing could be further from the truth. I don't know why people make false allegations in a book review, I suspect it's to dissuade others from reading the book and deciding for themselves. Read this book, you'll be glad you did. And pass on a couple copies to your state reps, senators, etc. Teach them a few things. I look forward to future works by Barbara Ehrenreich after reading this - she's wonderful.

The Working Poor of America get a voice
This case study in, as the subtitle says "(Not) Getting by in America" was in many ways surprising. I thought I had a pretty good handle on the fact that there are people in desperate straits out there, that being in desperate straights is awful, and that it would be better if no one had to do it. But some of the problems that are described in this book were things I had never even thought of. One of her main contentions is that many of the working poor are borderline homeless, living, ironically, in expensive motels because they can never get far enough ahead to save the deposit for a real apartment. The lack of medical care and desperate penny-pinching wasn't surprising, but what struck me was that the author, daughter of a union organizer and left wing journalist, was consistently surprised at the importance that her co-workers placed on the jobs they were doing, quite apart from the monetary rewards or managerial incentives.

This struck me as especially tragic, because it just reinforces the fact that most people take satisfaction in doing something well, and it's obvious from the lives these people lead that they aren't in the habit of shirking work. Shouldn't hard, quality work bring you a life with the basics we should all have? A thought provoking, if not especially surprising book.

STAYS with you forever!
I read this book 3 years ago, and I'm STILL experiencing recall and flashbacks to some of its passages. For example: I might be doing nothing much in particular, as I set myself down to dinner at a family style restaurant...and WHAP!!! I will recall a passage from "Nickled and Dimed" concerning the not very pretty or easy plight of many waitresses and cooks who work at such establishments. And "Nickled and Dimed" does it all with a sense of humour, to boot!

Very thought provoking and enlightening for anyone who wants a better understanding the working poor and the flaws in our socio-economic system.

"Nickled and Dimed" should be required reading for every politician and social worker in the United States.

Try Living it for Real
The biggest problem with the "realism" here is the fact that the author knows, throughout all of it, that she will be going back to her 'real' job and some serious money along with her yuppie lifestyle. She doesn't even pretend to want to find out how it feels to live this life for real. Try having $5.00 in your pocket on the 2nd of January to last you the rest of the month, with 2 babies crying because there isn't any heat in your house. And then come to the realization that you REALLY only have $5.00 in your pocket with 2 crying babies and no heat. And try realizing that the reason you are in this situation is because your town was hit by a flash flood that wiped your home away and your insurance company refused to cover the damages because they don't cover "floods." Suddenly you are poor and desperate and nowhere to turn. Try that. Then write your book. The only problem would be finding someone to publish it. The general public still doesn't want to hear about the true struggles of the working poor or what the circumstances were that lead to that poverty... they only want to be entertained and feel "enlightened" because they now "understand the plight of the poor." Sorry... you really don't. Next time you sit down to a full meal, consider there really are people out there eating ketchup on noodles and nothing else. All week... maybe even all month. ... Read more

Reviews (14)

Therapeutic activities ... in school and in treatment
Alanna Jones is a certified recreational therapist who has compiled an interesting set of 104 games and activities that social workers, recreational therapists, and some educators and school counselors (in substantially separate classrooms for behavior/emotional disorders) can use. The book is organized into activities that build (1) teamwork, (2) self-esteem, (3) communication, (4) self-discovery, (5) anger management, and (6) coping skills. Almost all activities are designed for elementary school aged children, but Ms. Jones, under each activity, presents variations--either in the activity itself or in the intended age group.

The crucial part of using these activities occurs after the activity is done. This is the "debriefing" part of the activity. It is absolutely necessary to do this debriefing in order that the youngster(s) arrive at some understanding of the activity just completed, and its possible meaning to them. It is assumed that the reader is comfortable with this type of debriefing, and has the skills to intercede in case the activity or debriefing are going south.

The things I liked about this book are: (1) Ms. Jones' energy and positive thinking about youngsters and her desire to provide them with challenging and thoughtful moments; (2) She explains each activity or game fully, provides lists of materials needed, gives some advice on structuring the activity; (3) This is therapy "in action," so it attracts the interest and energy of the youngsters.

I had two small questions about some of this book: (1) Self-esteem comes from accomplishing something, and I thought self-esteem activities were the weakest section of the book; and (2) In regard to anger management, these activities must be regarded as an adjunct, not the central core, of an anger management therapy program. When readers have a good therapeutic anger management therapy program at their facility (in their classroom), Ms. Jones' activities can help.

I was impressed by Ms. Jones' selection and believe it will help counselors, therapists, coaches, and recreational therapists.

A Very Useful Resource
This book is a great resource for anyone working with children or adolescents! I bought it because I needed ideas for activities for elementary school students, but it has been useful for the adolescents I work with, too. There are a lot of really creative ideas in here, and I have used it consistently since the day I got it. All of my coworkers think I am so creative now! This is a very useful book and well worth the money.

Money well spent
As a middle school counselor, I have used the activities in this book with kids of various ages and ability levels. While some of the activities do take some prep time, there are also many that you can use with what you have on hand, which is great for the busy school counselor. The activities are a lot of fun and teach great skills such as teamwork and decision-making. Well worth the money!

Not as Good as her other Book...
This book is pretty good, but not as good as her Teamwork book. The key is that this book does not have team building activities like the other book. It only covers what is stated. I would still recommend this book for the topics it says it covers... but dont buy this for teambuilding...

There are better ones
I got this book hoping it would have simple, easy to use exercises to utilize in groups, with individual clients, and with families. However, it is not. Many of the exercises require extra materials and some require a good bit of creativity. I prefer the workbook types and have those are much more helpful than this one. If you are just looking for a good place to start and some creative ideas, then this book is for you. If you all ready have some resources you like and use, you may want to check this book out from a library or bookstore before buying because I was disappointed. ... Read more

Book Description

From its first edition through this, its fifth, Organic Chemistry has been designed to meet the needs of the “mainstream,” two-semester, undergraduate organic chemistry course. This best-selling text gives students a solid understanding of organic chemistry by stressing how fundamental reaction mechanisms function and how reactions occur.With the addition of state-of-the-art multimedia tools, new cutting-edge molecular illustrations, updated spectroscopy coverage and seamless integration of molecular modeling exercises, the 5th edition of Organic Chemistry clearly offers the most up-to-date approach to the study of organic chemistry. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

This book is better than what some reviewers write!

This book is written well and is a useful tool to use when writing everything from a resume and cover letter to a complete proposal. It also give instructions on how to make a web page and scripting in html. Although I am sure that this material is very similiar to that of the previous editions, I would highly recommend this book to anyone who would like to write better.

I wish that I had not read the previous bad reviews and ordered this book in hardcover instead of a used softcover.

Written by an expert in the marketing of textbooks!
John Lannon was a successful author of a college writing and composition textbook. He then created various spinoffs so that his publisher could cover more markets: business writing, technical writing, and so on (for both college and high school).

So he's really not a current specialist in technical writing, and he's not employed as a technical writer. He's just an English instructor who has been using essentially the same basic materials in all his books for decades.

This text is a perfect example. It has very little to do with today's field of technical communications. There are many other textbooks that have more specific and up-to-date examples and guidelines for contemporary technical writers. Any book by Hackos, for example, runs circles around this one.

In any case, he and his publisher don't need your single-copy sale. They sell thousands of these books for coursewide use at many schools across the country for use in very elementary courses. They don't care about individual users.

So save your money and buy something else!

What's new in this 9th Edtion?
The answer is nothing. This 9th edition is practically the same as 8th. This author must be the greediest man I've ever seen. Over half of the colleges in US use this book for technical writing, and he's still charging people $80 for it. Hasn't he made enough money with the 1st edition already?

Good Reference Text, But Poor Reading Material
This text book is not reader friendly. It is tedious and boring. However, it is a good reference manual. Hard to justify the price you pay for it.

Clear-Concise-Simple
The key to technical writing is best described as clear-concise-simple. The most accurate review of this book is to simply add NOT to each of these goals.It is NOT Clear - NOT Concise - Not Simple. It does boast one quality. It is vastly overpriced.
The writers style is easy to describe. It is very much like those bookshelf size computer manuals that we have all come to know and "love" so well! ... Read more

Book Description

The undisputed #1 market leading book continues to be an innovative look at the most current changes and happenings in the auditing profession! Up-to-date discussions include Sarbanes Oxley, fraud, and recent corporate scandals. Specific coverage features the bankruptcy of Andersen, LLP; the shifting of auditing standards-setting to the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB); consulting spin-offs; and greaterfocus on internal controls. For individuals interested in the auditing, accounting, and consulting fields. ... Read more

Book Description

Building on the tremendous reception to its parent volume, Earth 8th edition, the same groundbreaking media package is now integrated into the brief version of the best-selling introductory physical geology volume. This eighth edition of Essentials of Geology represents a thorough revision, yet retains the hallmarks readers have come to expect from Tarbuck and Lutgen. Reader friendly writing style, carefully crafted illustrations by Dennis Tasa that are both geologically accurate and visually appealing, and updated coverage of the most recent geologic events.The volume provides an introduction to geology covering minerals, igneous rocks, volcanoes and other igneous activity, weathering and soil, sedimentary and metamorphic rocks, mass wasting, running water, groundwater, glaciers and glaciation, deserts and wind, shorelines, the ocean floor, earthquakes and earth's interior, plate tectonics, mountain building, geologic time, and earth history.For individuals interested in an introduction to geology. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

A good textbook for the the physical geology student
This book is intended as a text for the collegiate course in physical geology. The course encompasses a general overview of the physical processes by which the Earth continues to develop, both gradually and by sudden events of great magnitude. Plate tectonics, volcanism, erosion, mountain building and shaping, mineralogy, mass wasting, the impact of man, glaciation, and all other manner of things are clearly discussed in nineteen separate chapters. The color photography and diagrams are remarkably good, and closely follow the text, which is a real boon, especially to a student who is hard-pressed for time. The coverage is up-to-date and accurate in all respects. Many of the photographs, such as the those of the eruptions at Montserrat, are very current.

Given the fact that physical geology is the first of six courses required for any geology degree, and that any well-informed person should have no trouble understanding the contents of this book, I would recommend it to any reader interested in earth science, student or not.

Not that bad
If you are taking a Geology class, this book is very helpful. Its easy to read, and has many pictures. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

The best reading methods textbook I've found
I teach a course in elementary reading methods for undergraduate education students. This is the third textbook I've tried, and it is excellent! It has what students need to know about the theory and practice of teaching reading, written in a very readable, non-overwhelming way. Plus it has lots of practical teaching ideas. Our lab school saw it and ordered several copies for its teachers also. I highly recommend it.

A must have!!
I was first introduced to this book in one of my graduate literacy courses and I have been hooked every since. The teachers at my school pass it around constantly looking for ideas. My favorite aspect of this boks is the fact that there are real teachers giving real examples of what works in their classrooms. There are no strategies that seem too hard implement in your classroom, because the layout is right there!! You know it can be done and it words because the examples in the book are proof! You don't feel like you are reading about some ideal or Utopia of a classroom. You are reading about REAL classrooms. I absolutely love it!

Excellent resource for teachers
This is an excellent resource. It is concise and contains a wealth of information. I teach second grade and am working on a Master's degree in literacy. I am finding this book to be invaluable. Much of the information is sorted into charts for easy referencing. So many of the books I have read lately seem to ramble on and on. This book makes it's point and moves on to other salient information. I get rid of so many of the professional books I purchase after I read them. This one is a keeper. It is very pertinent to the current trend in improving the literacy of our children.

Chock-full of good information!
We dived right into this book in our Teaching Reading credential course. This book is worth the price just for the internet resources (web sites, discussion boards, etc.) alone! Includes a great appendix which defines key terms, such as book talks, word webs, readers' theatre, etc. These are the "buzzwords" that are important for the RICA examination. A wonderful resource!

A Balanced Approach
This book is a great resource. Ms. Thompson believes that it is imperative that teachers offer students a comprehensive, balanced approach. She reasons that one should mix whole language with phonics. This resource is very readable and practical, and not riddled with lofty, educational jargon. ... Read more

Book Description

He has been cited by The New York Times Magazine as "probably the most important economist in the world" and by Time as "the world's best-known economist." He has advised an extraordinary range of world leaders and international institutions on the full range of issues related to creating economic success and reducing the world's poverty and misery. Now, at last, he draws on his entire twenty-five-year body of experience to offer a thrilling and inspiring big-picture vision of the keys to economic success in the world today and the steps that are necessary to achieve prosperity for all.

Marrying vivid eyewitness storytelling to his laserlike analysis, Jeffrey Sachs sets the stage by drawing a vivid conceptual map of the world economy and the different categories into which countries fall. Then, in a tour de force of elegance and compression, he explains why, over the past two hundred years, wealth has diverged across the planet in the manner that it has and why the poorest nations have been so markedly unable to escape the cruel vortex of poverty. The groundwork laid, he explains his methods for arriving, like a clinical internist, at a holistic diagnosis of a country's situation and the options it faces. Rather than deliver a worldview to readers from on high, Sachs leads them along the learning path he himself followed, telling the remarkable stories of his own work in Bolivia, Poland, Russia, India, China, and Africa as a way to bring readers to a broad-based understanding of the array of issues countries can face and the way the issues interrelate. He concludes by drawing on everything he has learned to offer an integrated set of solutions to the interwoven economic, political, environmental, and social problems that most frequently hold societies back. In the end, he leaves readers with an understanding, not of how daunting the world's problems are, but how solvable they are-and why making the effort is a matter both of moral obligation and strategic self-interest. A work of profound moral and intellectual vision that grows out of unprecedented real-world experience, The End of Poverty is a road map to a safer, more prosperous future for the world.

From "probably the most important economist in the world" (The New York Times Magazine), legendary for his work around the globe on economies in crisis, a landmark exploration of the roots of economic prosperity and the path out of extreme poverty for the world's poorest citizens. ... Read more

Reviews (14)

Poverty and the Professor's Plan
Jeffrey Sachs, the director of Columbia University's Earth Institute and special advisor to UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, tells us that about 20,000 people die daily due to extreme poverty (that's about 8 million people annually).Extreme poverty is defined as living on less than a dollar a day.About 1 billion people live on less than a dollar a day, one third of which are in sub-Saharan Africa.Thisbook makes us aware of the extent of this tragedy and it offers a global plan to do something about it.

The global plan, of course, requires big money and big debt relief.Sachs has calculated that it would take anywhere from $135 billion to $190 billion per year of donations from rich countriesover the next two decades in order to eliminate extreme poverty by 2025.

Not surprisingly, the conservative critics, such as the economist William Easterly, will disparage this plan as so much utopian social engineering and call instead for a more piecemeal approach (Neoconservatives, however, are different: they have a propensity for lavish spending and risky foreign adventures).

Sachs' plan is not entirely new.The development models of the 1960's and 70's were similar.Huge amounts of money were allocated for building infrastructure and human capital; instead this money ended up in the bank accounts of dictators and corrupt aid officials.The development focus of the 1980's and 90's was more toward ending corruption and state ownership, encouraging deficit spending and free trade.The results have been equally disappointing: still 20,000 die daily.

The Sachs' plan calls for some swift, aggressive, and large-scale "neoliberal" economic interventions.His recommendations on how this $135 to $195 billion should be spent are staggering: it goes from how to plant trees, to soil fertility, to antiviral therapy for Aids, to mosquito nets for malaria, to specially programmed cell phones, to battery charging stations - just to name a few.He proposes that the secretary general of the UN run the overall program (with the requisite oversights), and that this would lift poor countries out of the poverty trap by 2025.This is, admittedly, a tough sell in conservative circles.

It is disingenuous, however, for critics like Easterly and others in this column to call this plan utopian.The goal of ending "extreme" poverty is getting countries to the first rung of the economic ladder so that they can participate in the gobal economy.For example, Sachs considers sweatshop labor a step up from no labor at all - this is hardly a utopian goal.Ending extreme poverty only prepares people and countries for the marketplace, it doesn't make them wealthy.

It is true that an ambitious plan such as Sachs' would have its excesses and unforeseen consequences.One of Sachs' problems is that he accuses people who disagree with him of being uninformed, or, worse yet, in the case of Africa, racist.Surely, someone who became a tenured Harvard professor at aged 28 and saved a handful of countries from economic disaster is not lacking in ego.He would do well to be a little more diplomatic.

From this book one should remember the mission: to save 20,000 lives a day.Instead of labeling proposals left-wing or right-wing, liberal or conservative, we should look deeply within our technocratic selves to end extreme poverty.

Fighting Poverty, says J. Wallis, is a Moral Value.
Sojourners magazine editor Jim Wallis is also an evangelical who has lately been speaking out on the current administration's politics which infer that anything having to do with fighting gay rights or abortion is a moral, Christian thing to do. Wallis says that although he cannot find many references in the Bible regarding abortion or gays, he can find thousands of verses regarding poverty, and fighting poverty is a moral, religious issue folks everywhere should do what they can to end.

Coincidentally--and I don't know whether these gentlemen has ever met--we have another popular economist, Jeff Sachs who is head of Columbia University's Earth Institute--who coincidentally has a hot book out that's causing waves. Causing waves for the end of poverty in our lifetime. Already he's been seen rubbing elbows with Kofi Annan and Bono of U2. He probably would have been a better candidate for the US ambassador to the United Nations...but, I politicize. The main thrust of this work here is that taking into account geography, infrastructure, political leanings, corruption of public officials, and other development issues, we (rich nations) can conceivably end grinding poverty by 2025 in most of the worlds under developed countries. How? By supplying medicine and education in AIDs ravaged areas of Africa and Asia, by aiding production of foodstuffs in these rural area (rather than by putting big thinking growers who tend not to understand the region and the traditions of people), by control of for example mosquitos in South Africa. We will help the poor survive and teach them how to survive.

Sachs says that by taking a pro-active stance, addressing problems that are able to likely be solved with enough appropriate effort, we can improve lives. The Millenium Project Report under the UN is designed to help these areas solve their problems.

The book is about the nature of the world's poverty (in for example Bilar, Pakistan, India, Africa) some of Sach's general observations of the poor and the steps to take to curve poverty.

Why should you read this? Even if you are not a Christian, it seems that as a citizen of this world two of your responsibilities are to feed the hungry and to help the poor. This is a valuable, current day, rational dissertation on a 'zero poverty by 2025' goal. It also teaches that civilization will be judged on how it treats its poor. Let's avoid having a bad report card.

An Exciting Overview
A very exciting book.Professor Sachs describes his round the world adventures in working to solve some of the most severe economic conditions in modern history.Thrilling was his account of making his proposal to an unbathed Eastern European leader into the night (while the leader consumed a bottle of whiskey and smoked an untold number of packs of cigarettes), working through the night to have a written economic strategy proposal by morning and then, months later, watching with fingers crossed the behavior of the economy after his plan was put in place.Jeffrey Sachs is a high stakes player.The well-being of millions is often at stake.Disappointing was his account of how Russian and other world leaders ignored the majority of his proposals to transform the Russian economy.I've read books about Geronimo and Crazy Horse, climbing Everest, and revolutions, and this book was just as exciting.

Thrilling also is that it is possible to, maybe not eliminate, but greatly reduce the number of people living in extreme poverty.Disappointing is the fact that the necessary assistance from the wealthy governments of the world probably will not materialize.

This book is merely an overview of Professor Sachs's plan to eliminate the poorest of the poor.This is about how to give the absolute poorest of people (those living on less than $1 per day) a boost up to the bottom rung of the economic ladder of development.The poorest of the poor, Sachs claims, with no infrastructure, no education and no capital, are often achieving negative per capita economic growth.Sachs claims that, once on the bottom rung of the ladder, these poorest of the poor will then be able to begin climbing.

Professor Sachs suggests using "differential diagnosis" to determine the causes of deep poverty and devise a strategy to alleviate it and begin economic growth.Decades of experience have taught him that different countries and different regions and villages may be impoverished due to different causes.These impediments to growth must be first diagnosed through careful analysis followed by a strategy specifically designed to overcome these impediments.His method is not a one size fits all approach.

This book is not about enhancing development in economies that have are already on the economic ladder and growing.Countries like Bangladesh, although poor, are already on a path to economic growth and, with small accomplishments in read per capita GDP growth every year, will be able to continue to improve standards of living.

Criticism of this book began before the book was even available.It's not surprising that the harshest criticism comes from those who obviously have not read this book.Sachs is often criticized for failing in Russia.The critics never point out, probably because they are not aware, that neither the Russian government nor outside governments and institutions followed his advice.

A popular criticism of this book is that Sachs's solution involves merely throwing money at a problem.This is perhaps the most misguided criticism.Sachs's plan does involve development assistance from wealthy countries; however, the amount he suggests that is needed is no more than countries have already pledged to contribute.Moreover, Sachs is clear that financial aid without a development strategy will produce little results.Sachs proposes an analysis of the impediments to development at the village level followed by a diagnosis and strategy to overcome them.A stable, honest government is essential in carrying out the plan.

Another popular criticism is that aid has shown to be inadequate in addressing the problems of development.Sachs addresses this issue in the book.His argument is that the amount of aid has been so low in the most impoverished countries that it could not possibly have a significant long-term effect.The governments in the United States invest 30% of GDP in public goods - roads, bridges, ports, police and courts, education ($10,000+ per student in many areas) - in order to achieve a growth rate of 2% in real per capita GDP.Should we be surprised that an investment of a few dollars per citizen is ineffective in Africa?

Sachs is also criticized for suggesting that aid be given to corrupt governments where the money will merely end up in an off shore bank account.Sachs is very clear throughout the book that it is imperative that the recipient countries devise and implement a poverty reduction strategy and stick to it.Countries that are not committed to this "need not apply".

In the end, Professor Sachs has made a good proposal that WILL be effective in lifting hundreds of millions of people out of deep poverty and a track record to prove it.Unfortunately, his plan WILL NOT be implemented primarily because of resistance from Washington.

Fascinating look at development economics
Professor Sachs gives a great tour of the world and its economic problems.He gives personal accounts of helping the economies of Bolivia, Poland, India, Russia and to a limited extent China.Most attempts at helping were successful (Russia, which had deeper and more entrenched problems, was a notable exception).Sachs gives sound advice on what works and what doesn't in really really poor countries.He also lays out how little it would take from America and other developed nations to make it all happen.

The one downside is that for Sachs' plan to work, foreign governments have to be willing to cooperate.It's kind of a Catch-22.The US is not willing to donate large amounts of money if it is used poorly, and foreign governments aren't going to be able to spend wisely if they don't have very much. But really - we are spending hundreds of billions fighting the war in Iraq to "help the Iraqi people".But we could help many more people much more efficiently if we just committed to do it.

Overall, one of the most interesting economics books I have ever read (and I have read a few).

A few problems
If there is a more tireless and indefatigable advocate for the poor and downtrodden, and a more vigorous campaigner fighting the evils of poverty in dozens of countries around the world than Mr. Sachs, I don't know who it is. Sach's book provides a sweeping and compelling overview of the dire effects of poverty and the possibilities for aid and assistance, economic reform, and development in third world countries, discussing the successes and failures in many countries and how and why they either failed or succeeded.

Before I get into the rest of my review, I should say something about my own prior and perhaps naive views on foreign aid. Before reading Mr. Sach's book, I believed in helping poor countries as much as possible and putting as much money into it as one could afford. Unfortunately, after reading his book, I was somewhat dismayed to find that so much of what he said could just as easily be used to argue against it. So, like a number of the reviewers here, although I agree that some sort of action is necessary, most of these solutions unfortunately still seem to come down to throwing more money at what in many cases have already turned out to be bottomless pits, lining local dictator's and beaurocrat's pockets and accomplishing very little else in the way of long-term gain. One shudders at the number of countries in Africa where aid is desperately needed and yet so little seems to reach the actual populace, not to mention several former Soviet countries, such as Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan, and countries like Cambodia, that have similar if not worse situations.

One of Mr. Sach's favorite countries, for example, is Ethiopia, one of the world's poorest nations, where less than 1 dollar is spent per year per person on medical aid. However, Ethiopia still has not come to grips with its population problem, and every generation or about 20 years, there is another famine and the world sends vast amounts of food and money to rescue the starving populace.

This happened back in the 60s, and again in the 80s. That one I remember well because of all the TV ads featuring actors/actresses like Sally Struthers, one of the stars from the TV sitcom, All in the Family. While this generosity is commendable, nothing had changed since the 60s, and Ethiopia was again starving as a result of a couple of years of crop failures. Again, the U.S. and the world again sent huge amounts of aid, which did save many lives, but again, it just postpones Ethiopia's need to deal with the population issue in a more realistic and timely way.

Although I learned much about the different circumstances and strengths and weaknesses of many countries around the world in regard to their economic problems and opportunities, sometimes the book tantalizes as much as it explains. For example, Mr. Sachs discusses the amazing progress China has achieved, contrasting that with the failure of many Latin American countries to continue to progress, not to mention the problems of Russia. He attributes the success of China to the development of TVEs (township and village enterprises), which became small but dynamic production and profit centers, as opposed to the inefficient Soviet state operations, and the failure to develop true capitalistic institutions where profits are plowed back into capital spending, growth, and expansion rather than into the new elite industrial leadership's pockets.

However, this doesn't really explain why local village enterprises in China really succeeded over the larger state concerns in Russia. Larger operations enjoy certain advantages such as economies of scale and access to governmental funds for loans. Deciding to follow up on the question, I did a Google search and came up with the following excerpt from the United Nations Industrial Development Organization document number 4536 (I apologize for the long quote but it provides info that Sachs leaves out, and also, I'm going somewhere with all of this):

"China's township and village enterprises (TVE) are rural, collective economic organizations established at the township or village level. They also include the city branches of township enterprises. TVEs had become a major component of the Chinese economy, contributing significantly to GDP, employing large numbers of people and contributing to social development.

The development of TVEs has varied across China's regions and economic sectors. TVEs in some sectors are hi-tech or export oriented, and they face regional and international competition. However, TVEs in the brick, cement, coking and metal-casting sub-sectors were set up primarily to absorb rural labour, to provide essential low cost products, and to contribute to improving livelihoods in a localised area. In these sectors TVEs relied heavily on direct interventions from local governments for access to resources and marketing opportunities. As a result of the limited exposure of TVEs in these sectors to the market and to market forces, development in these sectors was characterized by expansion, without technology and technique development.

Despite their general dynamism and growth, TVEs still have many disadvantages compared to state owned enterprises (SOE). A key one is the shortage of workers having significant professional skills. Another is the lack of access to finance. These gaps are also found between TVEs in Central China and those in the coastal regions.

While the building material, coking and metal casting sectors provide key inputs to China's economic development and have been a major contributor to China's economic growth over the last 20 years (TVE provide more than half of the total output from these sectors), the level of technology in these sectors is low. Accordingly, TVEs in these sectors are characterized by high pollution levels. Notably, these four TVE sectors account for a staggering one sixth of China's total emissions of CO2. Their average relative energy consumption is 30% to 60% higher than state-owned-enterprise sector using currently available technologies. In addition, the low quality of their products leads to additional energy inefficiencies in product use (notably, poor building materials have low insulation levels, leading to heat loss in buildings). TVE are also major contributors to local air and water pollution and health hazards for employees."

Unfortunately, the impression I get from this article in the way of explanation is that this apparent miracle won't last. The most likely explanation to me for the success of the TVEs is that the interior of China was so backward (it consisting mainly of literally of tens of thousands of small and relatively isolated villages) is that almost any improvement in industrial capability and capacity was a big improvement over what had existed before in the region. The same thing happened in the Soviet Union, where initially industrial output increased due to some fairly simple and basic improvements in manufacturing technology and production. Like the TVE's, they also initially seemed a big success, only later peaking and going into decline. However, the interior of both countries was so backward industrially that almost any improvement was likely to succeed in the short term, whether it was more collectivized as in the case of the Soviet Union, or smaller scale, more private enterprise type operations as in the case of TVE's.

My point, unfortunately, is that we still don't know whether TVE's will truly succeed or not in the long run, as much of the profit can also be explained by the low cost of labor. If labor is cheap enough, you can still make a profit not matter how inefficient and low tech and non-competitive your operation is.

So overall, although I applaud Mr. Sach's willingness to be an advocate for eliminating poverty around the world, we still don't really know what we're doing in many cases economically, and the practical problems are still daunting. Development economics is itself a developing academic area (by the way, John Kenneth Galbraith, an advisor to many U.S. presidents, did his Ph.D. dissertation on farm economics, although he became known mainly for his book, The Age of Affluence), and hopefully we will continue to learn more and be able to apply more rational and scientific solutions to the elimination of poverty in the future.

In the short-term, however, our efforts continue to be hampered by inefficient and corrupt governments and inefficient aid organizations--although I still believe that we must continue to provide help despite the small percentage of it that ultimately reaches those most in need. ... Read more

Book Description

The sixth edition of this best-selling text balances solid mathematical coverage with a comprehensive overview of mathematical ideas as they relate to varied disciplines. This book provides an appreciation of mathematics, highlighting mathematical history, applications of mathematics to the arts and sciences across cultures, and introduces students to the uses of technology in mathematics.Exercise sets are now organized into Concept/Writing, Practice the Skills, Problem Solving, Challenge Problems/Group Activities, Research Activities. An updated Consumer Math section including updated material on sources of credit and mutual funds.Motivational, chapter-opening material demonstrates connections between math and various other disciplines.KEY MARKET For those who require a general overview of mathematics, especially in the fields of elementary education, the social sciences, business, nursing and allied health fields. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

EXCELLENT REFERENCE FOR BEGINNING & ADVANCED UNDERGRADUATES
I have been teaching out of Angel & Porter for the last three years. It has quite a few good examples, though I agree with the first reviewer's comment that it does need more challenging problems.

Among the topics I have covered are: inductive reasoning, set concepts, symbolic logic, truth tables, algebra, applied geometry, probability, statistics, and mathematics of finance. Though the examples are laid out fairly well for those who are mathematically inclined, the teacher who happens to have quite a few students with weak mathematical skills is often finding himself or herself in situations of having to create ways to become an effective expositor of mathematical theorems and applications. In other words, by trying to explain what the authors are providing in their examples, the instructor is frequently shouldering the added burden of making this book come to life not only from a mathematical perspective but also from a communicative standpoint.

On a positive note, however, there are several excellent applications, and the range of topics is quite broad. Oftentimes there is a gap between the level of advanced high school mathematics and that of a four-year university that is so serious that even a student who performed A's in high school will struggle in the type of college math course he or she is placed in. Fortunately, Angel and Porter have been able to fill in quite a few of the missing pieces.

Idiots
I taught from an earlier edition of this book at Ivy Tech in Bloomington, Indiana while working on a PhD at Indiana University. Ivy Tech had already selected this text. Too bad. While that was around 1994, I can still recall a number of FACTUAL ERRORS. I had to tell my students that the text was wrong. Among the errors: The clear implication (though not explicitly stated) that the algebraic numbers included all the reals - that is they didn't even seem to be aquainted with the transedentals; there was another error regarding conditional probabilities... I can't recall exactly, but I can remember showing the errors to fellow doctoral students (now at UN, Reno and UC, Davis) for a good laugh. What were the reviewers doing? I guess they're a bunch of incompetents as well. To the publisher: Have some real mathematicians review math books.

Could use some more problems
This book does the job of teaching some mathematics to those with liberal-arts majors. However, over at Wayne State, we are constantly bemoaning the lack of extra problems for students to practice what they have learned (especially in light of the fact that we cover only half of the chapters of this book in a single one semester course). This is especially apparent with the probability and statistics chapters. Overall I can see this text being a commendable effort on the part of Angel and Porter to bring mathematics to those who would normally shun it. ... Read more

Book Description

The most practical, authoritative guide to GAAP

Amidst a national parade of corporate scandals, accounting professionals require a timely, rock-solid resource in order to instill clients and investors with the confidence they have come to expect.Wiley GAAP 2005 delivers the most recent developments and analysis of all generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), restating the original, highly technical pronouncements in easy-to-understand terms and providing battle-tested implementation guidance. Unlike other guides, Wiley GAAP offers complete coverage of Levels A, B, and C GAAP in a single volume, including EITF issues that have not yet been reduced to consensus, as well as EITF Appendix D discussion matters. Wiley GAAP 2005 contains a host of completely updated features, such as:

• A streamlined format that helps readers find what they need to know quickly
• Expanded and complete, real-world implementation guidance and coverage on the latest FASB standards and interpretations, including variable interest entities (FIN 46 (R)) and instruments with characteristics of both equity and debt (SFAS 150)
• Updated comparison of U.S. GAAP and International Accounting Standards (IFRS)
• Detailed coverage of important, proposed standards on exchanges of productive assets, purchase method accounting for aquisitions, and accounting for combinations of not-for-profit and mutual enterprises
• Revised disclosures of pension cost-related matters
• Expanded discussion ofFASB Concepts Statement No. 7
• Detailed coverage of the AcSEC Statement of Position (SOP) 03-3 on accounting for loans and debt securities acquired in transfers
• Coverage of all EITFs discussed through mid-2004
• An authoritative financial statement disclosure checklist

Featuring numerous real-world examples, illustrations, and helpful practice hints that are extremely user-friendly, Wiley GAAP 2005 is designed with the needs of the reader in mind. Covering the entire GAAP hierarchy, Wiley GAAP addresses all effective pronouncements, including:

• FASB Interpretations
• FASB Technical Bulletins
• FASB Statements of Financial Accounting Concepts
• FASB Statements of Financial Accounting Standards (SFASs)
• Consensus Opinions of the Emerging IssuesTask Force of the FASB
• AICPA Statements of Position
• Accounting Research Bulletins
• Accounting Principles Board Opinions
• AICPA Audit and Accounting Guides

As clients demand accounting procedures they can trust, so accountants require up-to-date reference materials they know they can depend on. More than any other resource, Wiley GAAP 2005 provides the indispensable tools for the accounting professional. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Amazon - help your users!
My rating has nothing to do with this book, but about trying to figure out why this edition (Nov 2003) was so much more expensive than the earlier edition (Oct 2003). I had to use the ISBN and research other websites and believe I figured it out - the Nov edition (ISBN 0471472409) includes a CD ROM, but the October edition (ISBN 0471453927) is only the book. Without the table of contents or more descriptive editorial review, it took me way too long to figure this out! I hope this review helps others. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

All models evaluation book
Even though it is not an Evaluation Manual which sometimes comes in handy for conducting evaluation studies, it is a very good book. I have used it for my Masters Program (at Universidad del Valle de Guatemala) and found it very useful both for the theoretical and for the practical parts.It covers all major models tracing their origins. I plan on using it for my Doctoral Program, at Universidad de Costa Rica.

Very Thorough
I've been using this book as a resource for evaluating programs at our college and for my doctoral research. The book is well organized and contains several examples and paradigms with which to evaluate programs in both govermental and corporate settings. Expensive book but one that you'll keep handy! ... Read more

Book Description

For the past forty years Beer and Johnston have been the uncontested leaders in the teaching of undergraduate engineering mechanics. Over the years their textbooks have introduced significant theoretical and pedagogical innovations in statics, dynamics, and mechanics of materials education. At the same time, their careful presentation of content, unmatched levels of accuracy, and attention to detail have made their texts the standard for excellence. The new Seventh Edition of Vector Mechanics for Engineers: Dynamics continues this tradition. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Why is this book still in print?
I don't believe I've ever read a more illogical, poorly organized, overly difficult piece of trash in my life. I'm guessing the only reason my professor used this book is because some of the people in the acknowledgments are affiliated with Penn State. That's probably the only reason anybody uses this book. To anybody who will be required to waste their money on this book, don't even bother reading the sections because they make absolutely no sense and are completely unrelated to the example problems. There is no reason, in my opinion, why a student shouldn't be able to learn and completely understand the material covered in a course soley from reading the textbook. That is clearly not the case with this book, though.

Too difficult
Without doubt, this is the worst textbook I ever had the misfortune to read.

I used it for a rushed 1st year dynamics course, and found the book utterly useless. The concepts are scattered and are introduced using complicated mathematics, some of which is beyond 1st year level. Even simply trying to read through the verbal explanations is near impossible for beginner students, simply because of the depth of knowledge required to do so.

The problems, while plentiful, are simply too difficult. Original thinking is one thing, these problems require something else entirely. I realise, of course, that textbooks must be challenging in order to maintain academic standards, but this book goes too far, to the point where students end up discouraged from the subject simply because the concepts are so difficult.

While I maintain the greatest respect for Mr Beer, as I am sure that he is a brilliant engineer (his book is testament to that), the text is simply too in-depth. For future editions, I recommend that he go through the book and greatly simplify both the language and the problems.

Until this book is simplified, I recommend the Hibbler Dyanmucs text to any other students out there.

Very solid and important text
Very few books provide solid material like this one (Meriam's is an excellent one too). In fact I have become interested in mechanics after I was Introduced to this text for the 1st time in 1984. Recently, I started to collect and work all the editions of this book. This text requires a skilful instructor that can present the material in a way worthy of this text. please do not hate this text if you really want unsurpass knowledge in mechanics, because there are many "engineering mechanics" texts around you that teach nothing.

World funest class
If you ever have pleasure in taking this class, procede to the nearest gun shop and pick a fight with billy. He will know what to do. You engin-i-nerd.

Horrible
This book is horrible. The concepts are loosely introduced, you see variables all over the place without understanding what they mean. The explanations are also very weak. The author seems to be all over the place. For someone taking a first year dynamics course, this book may not enable you to understand the key principles. The examples are are very poor and do not prepare you to the end of chapter problems. SAVE YOUR MONEY AND DO NOT BUY THIS BOOK! ... Read more

Book Description

This market-leading text takes a pragmatic approach emphasizing the strategic role of human resources. Comprehensive, research-based coverage includes all major topics identified on the Human Resource Certification Institutes Content Outline. Coverage includes a global chapter, expanded coverage of diversity, new material on performance management, and current hot topics such as self-directed work teams, shamrock organization, broadbanding, competency-based pay systems, job security, violence in the workplace, and how organizational commitment affects production, quality, and service. ... Read more

Reviews (14)

Excellent book for learning Human Resource Management
This is an excellent book if your are interested in learning all about Human Resource Management. It's very easy to read and follow. It's well-organized and well-written, chapter after chapter. The main points are clearly emphasized, with key definitions on each page. There are several things I liked specifically about this book. First, there was an incredible amount of real life examples throughout the book. Specifically, I appreciated the "HR Transition" section at the beginning of each chapter. The sections helped me understand the material effectively by giving specific business world examples on the topic of dicussion. Second, I appreciated the abundance of the figures, diagrams, charts, and images throughout the book. Often books are well-written, but lack in figures and images. This book, however, succeeds easily in providing adequate amount of visuals. Such figures and images make learning the concepts of the book so much easier. Finally, I appreciated the "Chapter Summary" section. It recapped the main points of the chapter, and helped me understand what information was most important in the chapter. There really isn't a whole lot that I disliked about the book. At times, I felt that some less important points were over-emphasized, and that some of the diagrams were confusing. With any respect, this is an excellent book for anyone interested in Human Resource Management.

Great book for an intro to Human Resource Management
Human Resource Management was a well-written book that was easy to read. It is a great book for someone wishing to learn more about the functions of Human Resources professionals. After reading this book, I have confirmed my major in Human Resources. There are three aspects of this book that I particularily liked, apart from it being easy to read. Frist, it is clear to the reader what is expected to be learned because the objectives are stated at the beginning of each chapter. Second, the book relates the concepts to real-life situations in the HR perspective sections. This makes it easier to grasp "textbook" definitions. Third, the authors make good use of figures and graphs to further reiterate the concepts. This is especially helpful for visual learners, like myself. In all, I would recommend this book to anyone wishing to learn more about Human Resource Management.

Where's the Beef???
I use this text in a college course I teach and I would give it less than a C. The authors attempt to cover a wide range of material, but they fail to correctly present critical material even when informed of their mistakes. The book does contain links to useful web sites and is current on many of its topics. However, on the subject of diversity and EEO - they need to stick to the facts and not what will sell books. Too many errors for a text this costly.

One of the most useful textbooks ....
I used this textbook for my MBA Human Resource Management course in the spring of 2001. I found the textbook quite up to date with great case studies and end of chapter exercises. They were quite relavent to current issues and the ongoing AOL-Time Warner case was an used throughout the book.

Objective Learning
I believed the text book to be a great tool in the education of Human Resource Management. The book was very objective in teaching the aspects and procedures of Human Resource Management. The text would give both sides to the story. In almost all areas, the book gave disadvantages and advantages to using the policies presented. The text also did a good job of relating the material with current events. The text provided stories and inserts that related to issues with current companies. Therefore the reader is allowed to see how the material is actually applied in the real world. ... Read more