Book Description

Organized around the theme of human development, this book is written by experts on each region of the world to create a comprehensive volume on world regional geography that presents a vital overview of the topic, providing a deep understanding of the character of the world's people. A rich art package assists the reader in gaining a personal feeling for the inner essence of each world region.This book covers the geographic, social, and economic issues for each world region, including the United States and Canada; Europe; Russia and the Eurasian States; Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands; Asia; the Middle East and North Africa; Africa south of the Sahara; and Latin America.This book can serve as an excellent tool for any reader who is interested in the world's regions and its people; it is an excellent reference work for geographers, cultural anthropologists, and others working in those fields. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Seriously Biased
The tendency of this book to ridicule America (its history, its culture, its priorities, etc.) really calls into question the objectivity and political persuasion of its authors. Whether it's the destruction of the environment or world poverty, America and the American people are always to blame. We use too much energy; we don't share enough; blah blah blah. America does more to promote peace and economic development throughout the world than any other country. While the authors of this book don't seem to be so, I, for one, am PROUD to be an American

As a text
The general feel of this book is dark and dull. Graphics are oddly benign,upside, the Geography in Action sections offer realistic insight into Geographic concepts. Clawson and Fisher tried. ... Read more

Book Description

All the expert guidance you need to understand, build, and operate GPS receivers

The Second Edition of this acclaimed publication enables readers to understand and apply the complex operation principles of global positioning system (GPS) receivers. Although GPS receivers are widely used in everyday life to aid in positioning and navigation, this is the only text that is devoted to complete coverage of their operation principles. The author, one of the foremost authorities in the GPS field, presents the material from a software receiver viewpoint, an approach that helps readers better understand operation and that reflects the forecasted integration of GPS receivers into such everyday devices as cellular telephones. Concentrating on civilian C/A code, the book provides the tools and information needed to understand and exploit all aspects of receiver technology as well as relevant navigation schemes:
* Overview of GPS basics and the constellation of satellites that comprise the GPS system
* Detailed examination of GPS signal structure, acquisition, and tracking
* Step-by-step presentation of the mathematical formulas for calculating a user's position
* Demonstration of the use of computer programs to run key equations
* Instructions for developing hardware to collect digitized data for a software GPS receiver
* Complete chapter demonstrating a GPS receiver following a signal flow to determine a user's position

The Second Edition of this highly acclaimed text has been greatly expanded, including three new chapters:
* Acquisition of weak signals
* Tracking of weak signals
* GPS receiver related subjects

Following the author's expert guidance and easy-to-follow style, engineers and scientists learn all that is needed to understand, build, and operate GPS receivers. The book's logical flow from basic concepts to applications makes it an excellent textbook for upper-level undergraduate and graduate students in electrical engineering, wireless communications, and computer science. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Melding superb research and the extraordinary expedition photography of Frank Hurley, The Endurance by Caroline Alexander is a stunning work of history, adventure, and art which chronicles "one of the greatest epics of survival in the annals of exploration." Setting sail as World War I broke out in Europe, the Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition, led by renowned polar explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton, hoped to become the first to cross the Antarctic continent. But their ship, Endurance, was trapped in the drifting pack ice, eventually to splinter, leaving the expedition stranded on floes--a situation that seemed "not merely desperate but impossible."

Most skillfully Alexander constructs the expedition's character through its personalities--the cast of veteran explorers, scientists, and crew--with aid from many previously unavailable journals and documents. We learn, for instance, that carpenter and shipwright Henry McNish, or "Chippy," was "neither sweet-tempered nor tolerant," and that Mrs. Chippy, his cat, was "full of character." Such firsthand descriptions, paired with 170 of Frank Hurley's intimate photographs, which are comprehensively assembled here for the first time, penetrate the hulls of the Endurance and these tough men. The account successfully reveals the seldom-seen domestic world of expedition life--the singsongs, feasts, lectures, camaraderie--so that when the hardships set in, we know these people beyond the stereotypical guise of mere explorers and long for their safety.

Alexander reveals Shackleton as an inspiring optimist, "a leader who put his men first." Throughout the grueling ordeal, Shackleton and his men show what endurance and greatness are all about. The Endurance is a most intimate portrait of an expedition and of survival. Readers will possess a newfound respect for these daring souls, know better their unthinkable toil and half-forgotten realm of glory. --Byron Ricks ... Read more

Reviews (134)

THE BEST BOOK!! YOU MUST READ IT!!
The Endurance by Caroline Alexander is a non fiction book about an explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton and his crew as they try to become the first explorers to cross Antarctica on foot. Sir Ernest Shackleton was one of the most known polar explorers of his day. Shackleton and his crew of 27 set out to sea on his boat Endurance on August 8th, 1914. The 28 men went down to Buenos Aries, Argentina then they continued to their last stop South Georgia Island which is in the southern Atlantic before they went to the pack ice and beyond. Once they got the ship into the pack ice they followed the cracks between each floe (leads) to try to get to the main land of Antarctica. Do they ever get home to England? Do they all even survive such a journey? This book was a heart racing kind of book. If you previously were not interested in history books The Endurance might change your opinion. I was impressed by how these men risked their lives freezing to death just to obtain their personal goals. The adventure of when they have to abandon ship will leave you hanging from your seat. The way Caroline Alexander wrote the book was engulfing . Her detail was thorough and she must have put many months of research on their journey. She also used clips from journals telling in the sailor's words what was happening and what was going on in their minds. I have read a few books about sailing the sea and The Endurance was the best one because of the way in which it was written. The photographer Frank Hurley took unbelievable shots of the whole expedition. The types of photos that were taken included, black & white stills, movies and color slides. The photographs look like they were taken recently by a digital camera instead of a Kodak in the early 1900's. Technically the pictures are crisp and clear for surviving the 22-month journey. This is a book that should be in every school library and all public libraries so everyone can experience The Endurance.

Enduring photographs bring epic adventure into focus
Caroline Alexander brings a wealth of information into this "last of heroic Antarctic adventures". What sets this book apart from the several others written on this subject is the broad scope of details provided. Each of the 28 characters are individually described in the beginning although for the most part the majority have a collective role in the success of the expedition. Yes success, as in 28 start, 28 survive. It really is hard to go wrong with such a great story. By focusing on the ship's cat Caroline comes dangerously close. The collection of the thoughts from members diaries brings the gravity of their situation to a level the reader can feel and fear. The book itself is beautifully printed, the numerous photographs hit the highlights the trip and are captioned in detail. Where Alfred Lansing's book ends on a romanticized high note, Caroline Alexander goes on to detail the fates of the mates after the expedition. Needless to say such a journey is the high water mark for displaying character in the most oppressive of situations. My advice is to buy it for your coffee table, for it is a beautiful book, but read Alfred Lansing's' Endurance accompanied by the Nov. 1998 National Geographic article (by Ms. Alexander) which includes the Frank Hurley photographs.

Don't Pass this one up!
A REAL story told REALLY well.
I listened to it on tape. One of my top five favorite books of all time. I would not have found it if my librarian hadn't suggested it. Couldn't put it down - If you are a man (or woman) in search of true adventure from days gone by then this is the book for you. This insanely difficult journey reveals the true character and spirit of these men in their effort just to stay alive. It feels like you are almost there with them, but glad that you aren't.
A true vision quest.
Buy it-
Read it -
Then give it to a friend - It's that GOOD!

First-rate
This book is a first-rate telling of the Endurance story. Even better, the B&W photos are gorgeously reproduced, and Alexander tells some details of how they were taken and preserved.

Excellent large format photos and introduction to Sir Ernest
A great book to get if you have never read any others of this amazing adventure. The book is worth getting and provides all the basic information on the journey. But let me add a note about seeing the author at National Geographic Explorers Hall some years ago. I read that the author would be giving a lecture. Not knowing much at all about Shackelton, I marked my schedule and planned to attend. I figured I might be one of a handful of people there like most history book lectures in DC. When I showed up, the line to pick up tickets was going out the door. Worse, it was sold out. Hundreds and hundreds of seats sold out to see the author of this book. I was gracefully given an extra ticket from someone who saw my distress and happily discovered a lifelong historical passion. Perhaps a bit of that "Old Provdy" was at play as the ramifications of this adventure go far beyond 28 men in a boat. I had the fortune to touch the James Caird at the travelling exhibit and there is a magic in the oak that defies explanation. If you want to discover a world of providence, human endurance, unreasonable chance and amazing survival, let this be the first step. As the author of this book said at her lecture, she was once walking in Manhattan with a Shackleton book tucked under her arm when a man approached her on the sidewalk after seeing the book. Wide eyed and smiling, he looked at her and said a single word that meant, he too, was part of the faternity of the moved - "Shackelton!" he said, and walked on. It said all there was to say. ... Read more

Book Description

Spatial Databases is the first unified, in-depth treatment of special techniques for dealing with spatial data, particularly in the field of geographic information systems (GIS). This book surveys various techniques, such as spatial data models, algorithms, and indexing methods, developed to address specific features of spatial data that are not adequately handled by mainstream DBMS technology.

The book also reviews commercial solutions to geographic data handling: ArcInfo, ArcView, and Smallworld GISs; and two extensions to the relational model, PostgreSQL and Oracle Spatial.The authors examine these underlying GIS technologies, assess their strengths and weaknesses, and consider specific uses for which each product is best suited.

* Examines the strengths of various query languages and approaches to query processing.
* Explains the use of computational geometry in spatial databases GISs, providing necessary background and an in-depth look at key algorithms.
* Covers spatial access methods, including the R-tree and several space-driven structures, and is filled with dozens of helpful illustrations. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

A textbook geared to advanced GIS analysts
Very nicely written book. It is quite technical, with a very detailed and mathematically-oriented exposition. More suitable for a classroom teaching or for a GIS software developer/expert analyst than for the average user. Contains great chapters on representation of spatial objects and concepts, and computational geometry algorithms.

A must have for a GIS software developer or a GIS analyst trying to gain a deeper understanding of GIS database organization and optimal query algorithms. Too deep for beginners and occasional GIS users.

Many years of researches are collected into 1 place
I have been in GIS and graphics research and development for more than 10 years. GIS is a area that is mixed with technical and management issues greatly; therefore, there is very few truly technical books that is focus on computing issues in GIS.
I am really excited to see this book because it compiles tons of research materials into 1 place. My 2 boxes full of research papers can go into basement while I am having this book as the constant reference. The book got a very coherent presentation of the large scale data management issues with GIS. Thier description is very accessible. They have tried their best to minimize the amount of mathematics that could be involved.
If you are a beginner, this is a definite starting point to learn about various techniques and issues about spatial data management and computing. I wish I have this book at the start of my career. Much of my headaches to run through all of those research papers can be eliminated.
If you want to implement a spatial data management system, this book alone is not enough. You may need to add few other graphics books and database books to acquire enough background to do so.
Well, you can only ask for so much coverage for a single book. ... Read more

Book Description

An adventure story and a love story set in the heart of the Amazonian jungle.

In the early years of the 18th century, a band of French scientists set off on a daring, decade-long expedition to South America in a race to measure the precise shape of the earth. Like Lewis and Clark's exploration of the American West, their incredible mission revealed the mysteries of a little-known continent to a world hungry for discovery. Scaling 16,000foot mountains in the Peruvian Andes, and braving jaguars, pumas, insects, and vampire bats in the jungle, the scientists barely completed their mission. One was murdered, another perished from fever, and a third--Jean Godin--nearly died of heartbreak.

At the expedition's end, Jean and his Peruvian wife, Isabel Grames—n, became stranded at opposite ends of the Amazon, victims of a tangled web of international politics. Isabel's solo journey to reunite with Jean after their calamitous twenty-year separation was so dramatic that it left all of 18th-century Europe spellbound. Her survival-unprecedented in the annals of Amazon exploration-was a testament to human endurance, female resourcefulness, and the power of devotion.

Drawing on the original writings of the French mapmakers, as well as his own experience retracing Isabel's journey, acclaimed writer Robert Whitaker weaves a riveting tale rich in adventure, intrigue, and scientific achievement. Never before told, The Mapmaker's Wife is an epic love story that unfolds against the backdrop of "the greatest expedition the world has ever known." ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Historically Thorough Adventure
Note to fellow reviewers: this is not a Sidney Sheldon novel. Whitaker uses the "true tale of love, murder and survival in the Amazon" as an excuse to delve deeply into the history of the study of the shape of the earth, socio-political conditions of the day (the 16th Century), and the motivations of the principles and their nations, leaving very few tangents un-investigated. While this may frustrate those readers expecting romance and intrigue, rest assured that this book is by no means boring. Instead, it is a thoroughly-researched window into the past where, by the time Whitaker finally gets around to the "survival" part of the story, the reader is deeply immersed in the mindset of the times, placing everything that happens into proper perspective.

Reads like a college textbook
I bought this book based on the New Yorker Magazine review and the Amazon.com review. What is billed as an adventure novel with all the juicy attributes of "Love, Murder and Survival" in the Amazon jungle ended up far from it. Basically the book is a scientific, cronological and historical textbook account of an expedition seeking to determine the mathematical latitude and longitude at the equator. Unless you are interested in such things or want to return to the classroom, forget it. BORING and not as billed. Certainly contains none of the "adventure juice" the subtitle implies.

stereotypes!
It's a shame the author didn't read a bit more about Spain and Spanish America. He resurrects the Black Legend about the Spanish and makes Peruvians sound like mindless robots who follow the Crown/Church orders. Anyone with historical background will want to throw this at the wall at times. Too bad.

Scientific Exploration in the Andes during the 18th Century
A century after Galileo had been forced to publicly recant his heliocentric model of the solar system, Western Europe was engaged in frenzy of global exploration and scientific investigation. Explorers urgently needed better maps and navigational systems. Scientists were competing to accurately determine the shape of the Earth. Add in a little political intrigue and you have the subject of The Mapmaker's Wife: a 1735 French mapmaking expedition to Peru that lasted a decade.

The European Enlightenment was an extraordinary time for all intellectuals. France was the center of scientific research: Spain concentrated on exploring - and occupying - the new world. When French scientists suggested a journey to the Andes to measure the lines of latitude and longitude there and settle the question of the shape of the Earth, King Louis XV saw a chance to get information on the closely guarded Spanish empire.

Robert Whitaker has won acclaim for his scientific journalism and he brings all his skills to The Mapmaker's Wife. The real story of 18th century mapmaking is more exciting than any fiction and the characters involved are full of life. As part of his research for the book, the author traveled to South America. Although he doesn't mention his own travels in the book, the detailed descriptions of what travelers encountered could only have been written by someone who knew the region.

The mapmaker's wife only appears towards the end of the book. Isobel Godin was a Peruvian who had married one of the younger members of the mapmaking expedition. After waiting twenty years for him to return, she set out east across the Amazon jungle to find him. Her journey became one of the great survivor stories of the century and nicely complements the experiences of the French mapmakers in their journey west. ... Read more

Book Description

This book introduces the principles of remote sensing from an Earth resource perspective.It describes a) the fundamental characteristics of electromagnetic radiation and how the energy interacts with Earth materials such as vegetation, water, soil and rock, b) how the energy reflected or emitted from these materials is recorded using a variety of remote sensing instruments (e.g., cameras, multispectral scanners, hyperspectral instruments, RADAR), and c) how we can extract fundamental biophysical or land use/land cover information from the remote sensor data. The history of remote sensing, the principles of visual photo-interpretation, and photogrammetry are also presented. Application chapters focus on remote sensing of vegetation, water, urban land use, and soil/rock and geomorphic features. The book was written for physical, natural, and social scientists interested in how remote sensing of the environment can be used to solve real-world problems. The following features make this book easy to comprehend and apply: a) it contains hundreds of illustrations specially designed to make complex principles easy to understand, b) a substantial reference list at the end of each chapter,c) the8.5 x 11" format allows the remote sensing images and diagrams to be easily interpreted, d) 32 pages of color are used to display remote sensing images or biophysical information that may be extracted from remote sensor data, and e) an Appendix provides Internet addresses for the most important sources of remote sensing information. Exercises and book illustrations are made available to instructors via the author's website. This book is a companion to "Introductory Digital Image Processing: A Remote Sensing Perspective" (Prentice-Hall, Inc., 1996) which introduces the fundamentals of digital image analysis.It is ideal for undergraduate or graduate courses in airphoto interpretation and remote sensing. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

excellent!
This book covers broad area of remote sensing; nature, physics, photogrametry, history, various types of sensors (multispectral, thermal, Microwabe..), earth resource perspective(vegetation, water, urban landscape, soil&mineral...). So if you want to learn how remote sesning are employed in this world, I strongly recommend to buy this book. if you want to learn digital image processing, you should buy the sister book "Introductory Digital Image Processing: remote sensing perspective".

All sections (especially vegetation) contains alot of infomation and easy to understand with nice figures and pictures.

Only one fault of this book is this price... ... Read more

Book Description

The first new edition in 13 years incorporates recent changes on the subject of streamlining from advances in computers. Their ever increasing speed and storage capabilities have directly led to an entire new approach in photogrammetric mapping known as “Soft-Copy” photogrammetry. Digital Imaging systems, including those used in modern satellite programs, scanners for digitizing photographic images, and digital image processing techniques are new topics to be covered that are fundamental to soft copy photogrammetry. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Excellent Resource
This book is an excellent resource and covers all topics in a sufficient and easy to read manner and definitely covers all the "elements". Anyone that is interested in Photogrammetry will find this book quite useful.

Book Review: Elements of Phtogrammetry
This book is substantially revised from the previous edition in 1983, some 17 years ago. Consequently, new topics are added, particularly on GIS and digital photogrammetry. The appendixes on least squares adjustment, co-ordinate transformations, collinearity equations and digital resampling are particularly useful.

This book is clearly one of the best ones around in the area of photogrammetry. The chapters are properly organised and the concepts are explained clearly.

Of course, every book has to focus on its intent and target audience. The authors did this with flying colors. If there is anything missing in the current photogrammetric literature, it surely must be a book that reorganises the chapters into an operational book of case studies on photogrammetric practice.

I strongly recommend the book to you.

Dr Willie Tan bdgtanw@nus.edu.sg ... Read more

Book Description

Inside ArcView GIS 8.3 functions as a detailed description of the software's functionality and as a comprehensive, self-paced tutorial. An essential how-to manual for the novice and indispensable desk-side reference for the experienced user, this edition begins by establishing the conceptual foundation necessary to use all GIS applications efficiently and effectively. Initial chapters focus on mastering the basics of using ArcView GIS 8.3 "out of the box" for querying, thematic classification, and map composition. With these skills, subsequent chapters lead readers to more advanced expertise, such as editing data, extending data using relational databases, performing spatial analysis (including buffering and overlays), and advanced map composition. Throughout the book, the author's unbiased perspective ensures that readers gain first-hand insights into the strengths and weaknesses of their ArcView GIS 8.3 software, as well as knowledge of workarounds and third-party solutions available to enhance their productivity. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

You are selling the wrong book
You got the correct title and ISBN on this webpage but you are selling the "Inside Arcview GIS (Ver 3.x), 3rd edition, 2003. Pls. see onwordpress.com website for the correct book. The color of the cover is different. I am inerested to buy the Inside ArcView GIS 8.3, 2004 edition, ISBN 0766834751 if there are sellers.

Excellent Reference for beginners and experienced AV users
I found this book to be more user friendly than the manuals that accompany the software. It certianly advanced my ArcView skills. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Do well on these questions and you will pass your FLS!!!
I used this book almost exclusively in studying for the FLS exam in October of 2003 and ultimately passing it. I felt like the questions in here prepared me really well, in fact, the majority of them were more difficult than the ones on the test! The only things that I can think of that it didn't delve into were computer, spelling, and grammar questions which were on the exam, but you only have to get a 70% on it, not 100%!! After all this is a SURVEYING book....

Welcome to Surveying
This is the most practical exam prep tool I've found to date, and I know what I'm talking about. Licensure was important to me, so I've purchased and used over $2,000 worth of references. This book is the most thorough, topic by topic prep manual I've seen. If you can master the material in this book, you're as ready for the NCEES exam as you can possibly be. How do I know? I passed on my first sitting, and this book was one of the main reasons why. Going through this book from cover to cover is definitely like "basic training" for surveyors.

Very helpful and well organized
This books really covers all the basics in Surveying, from Boundary Law to GPS. If you want to prepare yourself for a national exam, you should have it. I would say that once you learn everything in it, you are at a level between the LSIT and the LS. Contains lots of precious information and will help you find the weak points in your knowledge! ... Read more

Amazon.com

In the past Geographical Information Systems software (GIS)were used primarily by natural resources scientists, but it is an increasingly valuable tool for information resource users:everyone from students to marketers, journalists to Internet site designers. This is one of the best third-party books on any GIS software package. If you want to display data on maps, this book--and the software it describes--is a very good place to start. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Is this usefull for version 5.0??
I have version 5.0, can it help me?

A good introduction to MapInfo Professional for Windows.
Given the dearth of any third party book dealing with the most widespread desktop GIS application, this book provides a good starting place as a tutorial. The MapInfo manuals, though fairly clear and concise, leave out some of the nuances for using MapInfo. Windows users will be pleased by the thorough treatment the windows platform receives in this book. Mac and UNIX users can still pick up some useful tidbits. The accompanying CD, while most of the items will work on all platforms, provides Windows tables and examples, without identifying which will work with or crash Mac or UNIX platforms. Only about 27 Mb of the CD was used, while about another 600 Mb was available, the authors should have included some of the other public domain tables and utilities available at MapInfo internet sites, and should have considered including the URLs either in the book, on the CD, or point to a well maintained net site where the links could be found. Overall, a very useful manual, with a lot of good information, and some nit picky problems. ... Read more

Book Description

This comprehensive book bridges the evolution in cartography by presenting both traditional methods and recently developed cartographic techniques. KEY TOPICS It provides a compendium of methods for symbolizing and visualizing spatial data, from the traditional methods that presume a communication model to computer-based techniques that provide a means of data visualization.For anyone interested in designing maps in the realm of GIS. ... Read more

Book Description

The Global Positioning System is finding its way into the surveying and mapping field at an incredible rate. Be prepared with GPS for Land Surveyors, a book written by a land surveyor, for land surveyors. Useful for any surveyor interested in GPS, and for engineers and others who want to enhance their knowledge of GPS technology. From fundamental theory to practical application and advanced technologies, the book covers GPS without being saddled with pages of complicated maths, yet it is not over simplified. This user-friendly manual gives you all the tools needed to understand and use GPS in everyday practice. In a concise format, this book teaches the basics of GPS technology, common hardware, surveying methods, survey design, planning and observation, and new chapters have been added on RTK and DGPS. To help the reader fully apply the practical advice in the book, each chapter has helpful review questions and answers. This feature will be particularly useful for seminar teachers, academic instructors and students. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

And What Of Your GPS After An H-Bomb Detonates ?
All of this electronic stuff is fine and good, and on occasion it is microscopically accurate -- but nothing really beats the old fashioned way. A K&E transit, a Zeiss level, a good old chain, level rod, range pole and plumb bob -- with axes and stakes and hubs and tacks and hammers and brush hooks: THAT is land surveying. And, those old ways are all we'll be left with, after the magnetic pulse from a big bomb wipes out all your electronics, your distance meter and little azimuth beeper. Cutting a line through the woods, running cross-sections across fields of flagged laths, manually computing your cuts, fills, backsights, and deflections, THAT is was you can always put in the bank. Yeah, all this fancy equipment is lovely until the day you forget to charge the battery, or some moron leaves the truck window down and your satellite-powered theodolite gets all wet. The old ways, boys, those are the best, true and tested, most reliable ways. Give me a turn, it's time to move the instrument.

The GPS Primer - updated
I found Mr. Van Sickle's 2nd edition book to be an expansion, correction and update of the 1st edition (previously reviewed). The book now has nine chapters and includes a new one on "real-time". Various corrections and updates have been placed into print which were greatly needed. The book "boils down" GPS into its basic components and explains difficult aspects in a more understandable fashion. The new, larger illustrations are generally more easier to see and of a better quality than before. Mr. Van Sickle has added questions and answers at the end of each chapter making the book more useful in the classroom. Generally, I liked the new book and would recommend it as a basic part of your GPS/Surveying library. I intend to use the book as a textbook for my upcoming semester and I know that the students will like it as much as I have, especially with the new self-checking questions and answers at the end of each chapter.

An excellent guide to an interesting topic
Jan, is a very talented individual. From his acting, to his recitals of Shakespeare, this book is a testament to his ability to distill the essence of a deeply scientific subject and reduce it to bite-size chunks of information, suitable for those lesser mortals.

Apart from being an all-round good bloke, Jan has done an excellent job and I would highly recommend it to all readers wanting a deeper understanding of this technology, without their eyes glazing over with complex formulae and math. Well done Jan.

In depth coverage on topics for land surveyors
Jan presents a very concise and complete book on the intricate details involved with all aspects of GPS, from the GPS satellite signal structure itself to the applications of the Land Surveyor in implementing this technology. This book is a great learning tool for Land Surveyors interested in learning more about the who,what,where,and why's on GPS Surveying.

A concise and practical treatise on GPS without alot of math
I found Mr. Van Sickle's book to be very concisely written yet full of practical "how tos". The flow from concept to concept is well though out. He shows his vast experience and knowledge of the subject on nearly every page. There are however, some large scriveners errors which are too large to be considered typographical errors (sometimes a whole sentence or paragraph is unrecognizable). In some cases these errors detract greatly from the content since it hard to know what he is saying. One aspect of Mr. Van Sickle's style is his ability to explain a concept, albeit difficult for most to understand, using common words and phrases. Generally, I liked the book and would recommend it as a basic part of your GPS library. One should experience various aspects of a subject from all directions to be able to fully understand anything. I will confess to learning a number of things from Mr. Van Sickle's book mostly due to his easy literary style which I had not previously understood. I have used the book as a textbook for two semesters and will continue to do so. I only hope that there is a new corrected edition available soon. ... Read more

Book Description

This meteorology book focuses on explanation about the processes that produce Earth's weather and climate. It emphasizes a non-mathematical understanding of physical principles as a vehicle for learning about atmospheric processes. Additionally, difficult-to-visualize topics are reinforced with a series of software tutorials presented on a CD-ROM packaged with the book.Accompanying CD-ROM is available featuring Tutorials, Interactive Exercises, and illustrative movie loops all keyed to the book. Also, this book includes up-to-date coverage of severe weather events For professionals in the meteorology field. ... Read more

Book Description

In this powerful and passionate critique of the "war on terror" in Afghanistan, Palestine, and Iraq, Derek Gregory traces the long history of British and American involvements in the Middle East. He argues that the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon on September 11 activated a series of political and cultural responses that mapped a profoundly colonial perimeter of power. The Colonial Present traces the connections between political, military, and economic power – the grand strategies of geopolitics – and the spatial stories told by the lives of ordinary people. It also shows the intimate connections between events in Afghanistan, Palestine, and Iraq. Packed with empirical detail, and shot through with arresting arguments, The Colonial Present is indispensable reading for anyone seeking to understand a world riven by a war on terror that is also a war of terror. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

It depends what you want this book for
I got a 99 on the Global Regents, but it was thanks to my notes from class rather than this book. I had taken AP Euro the whole year and we just reviewed Global at the end of the year, about a month before the regents. At first I tried to use this book, but there was no way I could read the whole thing in a short amount of time with so many other regents I had to take, and frankly, I didn't need to. I was just hoping to get some good review questions to practice with. The questions themselves were all right, but the answer key had many, many mistakes. It was incredibly frustrating and I soon gave up using this book.

If you want this book for the whole year, for the actual information, then it would be a good book to have. However, if you want it as a quick review before the regents I'd probably go with something else. Also, if you want practice questions while preparing for the regents, get the red Barrons book, with all the old regents- you'll be better off that way.

Let's Review: Global History and Geography (Barron's Review
I am a 10th grade World History teacher in California. This book is the best resource I own. It not only helps the students, but allows me the chance to review prior to lectures and activities. It is must for any world history or global history student or teacher.

OH MY GOD THIS BOOK HELPS!!!!
Like many high school New Yorkers, I was super-worried about doing well on my Regents exam. But thanks to Mr. Mark Willner's book, I not only passed, I excelled! I was so satisfied, I told everyone to use it. If you are taking a Global Regent, get this book. This, in addition to your Global History class, will definately assure your success. Mr. Willner's thorough analysis and explanation in crucial areas in the subject is comprehensive and thorough. He is the Social Studies chairman at my school and was named best in the country, so he must have done something right! Get this book, you'll be glad you did.

GREAT STUDY TOOL!
I graduated from High School in NYC and there you must pass this regents in order to graduate. Well, I've always liked History, but taking such a hard test is another story. This book is great help for those who need to study for this test, since is not easy to remember all that things they taught us in two years (at least that's how it is in NY). Well, with the help of this book and my History teacher I was able to get a good score and pass the regents all at once! Thanks Barron's and Thanks Ms. Gasparevich!

Excellent Book
A well-prepared book. Accurate and informative. Great for useby students throughout the four term sequence as well as preparing for the Regents.A Bronx Science student. ... Read more

Book Description

A significant step forward in the world of earth observation was made with the development of imaging spectrometry. Imaging spectrometers measure reflected solar radiance from the earth in many narrow spectral bands. Such a spectroscopical imaging system is capable of detecting subtle absorption bands in the reflectance spectra and measure the reflectance spectra of various objects with a very high accuracy. As a result, imaging spectrometry enables a better identification of objects at the earth surface and a better quantification of the object properties than can be achieved by traditional earth observation sensors such as Landsat TM and SPOT. The various chapters in the book present the concepts of imaging spectrometry by discussing the underlying physics and the analytical image processing techniques. The second part of the book presents in detail a wide variety of applications of these new techniques ranging from mineral identification, mapping of expansive soils, land degradation, agricultural crops, natural vegetation and surface water quality.CD-ROM included: This volume contains a CD-ROM with hyperspectral remote sensing datasets as well as full color images of a selection of illustrations which are printed as black and white figures in the book. ... Read more

Book Description

This book examines every aspect of least square adjustment. It defines terms and introduces readers to the fundamentals of errors and describes methods for analyzing them. It also illustrates the application of least squares in adjusting a wide range of survey types and provides detailed coverage of applications of least squares to GPSs and GISs. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

The included software package
This is an excellent and relevant book. It is well structured, and the examples are very much practice oriented. However, when I tried to install the included software under Windows 98 and Windows 2000 Prof I failed. Only under Windows 95 it runs!
Did I something wrong or it is just like that!
I would appreciate any helpful comment!

A great investment
This is the most clear, well-written surveying text I've ever read. I recommend it both for students and --especially-- practising surveyors, who should have no problem going through it even after an exhausting day's work as, technical as it is, it is presented in a way by no means overwhelming. By the end of the book you'll have a firm understanding of, and be comfortably applying, statistical principles and least-squares methods in your job. It's an investment worth every penny.

Excellent Resource
Starts off with some basic principles before going in to more developed mathematical and stochastic models and even includes topics include in the use of constraint equations and blunder detection. Explanations are supported by clear & practical problems. Excellent book for surveyors and photogrammetrist.

Wonderfull reference
It covers the title subjects very well, and also covers related topics (such as blunder detection in horizontal networks) very well.

1
my jop is survayor in arraba munacibality ,so ineed this book to read only ,and i know about international low . please help me . thanks ... Read more

Book Description

Provides readers with a solid background in the theories of economic geography, while examining contemporary issues. Updated edition integrates new recent research on industrial geography using information published within the last ten years with an added global emphasis. Features a new chapter on interdependent global economies and improved figures and graphics, including updated tables throughout the text. ... Read more

Book Description

This introductory meteorology/weather and climate laboratory manual consists of 18 exercises that combine data analysis, problem-solving, and experimentation with questions designed to encourage critical thinking. Each lab manual comes automatically packaged with a CD-ROM that contains software for use with some of the exercises.Updated content employs a different approach to presenting Coriolis force, upper-air, and surface winds, and integrates real-world data to illustrate these concepts; also contains a new version of GeoClock in Chapter 3. A new interface, designed in Flash, launches all computer software. Interactive computer modules—presented as JAVA applets—examines topics such as Earth-Sun geometry, radiation fluxes, moisture, hurricanes, and climate controls.A supplemental lab manual for experience in meteorology, atmospheric science, and weather and climate professions. ... Read more