Reviews (6)

Excellent textbook for independent study
I home educate my 12-year-old son, so I need a textbook that gives clear explanations, includes plenty of worked examples, and provides answers to the exercises so I can check his work. This textbook is brilliantly clear and perfectly suited to independent study. Answers are provided for odd-numbered exercises only, but there are so many exercises at the end of each chapter that this has never been a problem for us: we just do all the odd-numbered exercises. Each chapter also has a chapter test and a set of cumulative review exercises at the end, for which answers to ALL of the problems are provided. This is an extremely useful feature for home educators. At the end of the book there is a cumulative test of the whole book, for which answers to every problem are provided, so you can do a thorough review with no uncertainty about marking. You could also use the final test as a pre-test to determine what areas you need to work on, if you're trying to fill in gaps from an unsuccessful school course. I only wish we could find textbooks of this quality for our other subjects!

Beginning Algebra eighth edition by Lial Hornsby
I am looking for this book ISBN 0-321-06192-6

Best Math Textbook ever!
This is the most beautiful math textbook I've ever seen. To each chapter there are many examples that show clearly what is covered. In the problem solving questions, some are based on real life. The only little problem is that the answers at the back to the exercises are odd-numbered! I use it as a homework textbook for a math programme and I NEVER get stuck on it!

from a young reader's point of view
My 8 year old son used this book for his Beginning Algebra course. He liked this textbook very much; especially the problem solving steps, examples, and summary tables in each chapter. He said that it is easy to understand and interesting to read. The only part he needed my help was real life problems such as interest rates. It is an excellent book for self-learners.

idiot proof math instruction
As an adult relearning algebra, I found this to be the best of the five introductory algebra texts I reviewed. It forces you to work through each step necessary for problem solving, and provides much needed repitition of concepts to ensure that they stick with you. A real confidence booster for a slow learner. ... Read more

Book Description

/*0019N-8, 0-13-100191-4, Tannenbaum, Peter, Arnold, Robert, Excursions In Modern Mathematics, 3/E*/ This collection of “excursions” into modern mathematics is written in an informal, very readable style, with features that make the material interesting, clear, and easy-to-learn. It centers on an assortment of real-world examples and applications, demonstrating attractive, useful, and modern coverage of liberal arts mathematics. The book consists of four independent parts, each consisting of four chapters—1) Social Choice, 2) Management Science, 3) Growth and Symmetry, and 4) Statistics. For the study of mathematics. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A Great Textbook
I teach a university course based on this textbook and I really like it. It is full of mathematics that students can apply readily to everyday situations, without being heavily computational. The problem sets are relevant to the chapter text. Also, the problem sets are divided into three categories ("walking", "jogging", and "running") based on the level of thought that must go into them. The four chapters on statistics and probability are not quite what I'd like them to be, because in my opinion they cover too much statistical ground in hardly any depth. They would be better if they just did some basic statistics and didn't try to get students at this level into normal curves and standard deviations and all that. My students are particularly fond of the graph theory unit (chapters 5-8). In fact, their only complaint of the book so far is the high price. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Outstanding Textbook
I teach statistics at 2 colleges. I use this book. It is outstanding in its clarity and mathematical depth. Students with strong math backgrounds will appreciate the fine logic developed by this book as it explains statistics. The word problems are outstanding and relevant to applications across broad fields of interests. The examples are explained thoroughly. This book is very well priced for the student who is struggling to pay tuition, fees, etc. Highly recommend this book to all serious students.

Not good
The examples are not clear and complete enough. Even my Stats professor said he didn't like the way the book was made. I know Stats involves a lot of word problems but the book is uncessarilly wordy.

Almost Useless
I had to have this book for a college intro to statistics class. I'm not very math inclined, and this book was no help. The 'examples' are not clear and easy to follow.

One of the things that I did find helpful in this book is when they list the steps to use an equation in text, without the numbers. Fortunately, the professor was able explain the equations.

If you are trying to teach yourself statistics:
1.) get a life :c)
2.) don't get this book

If you are getting this as a textbook for school:
hope you have a good math prof. ... Read more

Book Description

This text teaches solid mathematical skills while supporting the student with careful pedagogy. Gustafson and Frisk effectively prepare students for their next mathematics course as it presents all the topics associated with a first course in algebra. Mathematical concepts are motivated by need and illustrated through discussion, examples, and real-world applications. ... Read more

Reviews (15)

The best math book for economists!
The book does not merely provide a sequence of theorems, but helps to develops mathematical intuition which is really critical for economists. I don't have any hesitation to strongly recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn the essential mathematics for economics. One of the best economics books I've ever read!

The best mathematics for economists book ever written
The text is a phenomenon. A book written not only for economists, but also for applied mathemeticians, finance professionals, and others interested in applying mathematics to economics and business problems. It provides solid math fundamentals to students of economics and finance and can easily rival any advanced calculus, linear algebra, or optimization text. Unlike lecture notes, its approach is complete and balanced. It's a text with character, flow, and content. I've read it several times.

Mathematics for Economists
Where is the Comparitve Statics section? Dynamic Analysis? Difference equations? Calculus of Variations? Optimal Control? Etc.

Excellent but incomplete
Excellent description on mathematics needed in economic analysis especially in advanced level. But it do not include some topics such as dynamic optimization, integraion.

The "must" item for all Econ. students.
I recommend this book to all Econ. students. It helps me apply the theories I have learned, also, it enhances my ability on problem solving. Straight forward explainations and practical exercises. ... Read more

Book Description

This book presents the traditional content of Precalculus in a manner that answers the age-old question of “When will I ever use this?” Highlighting truly relevant applications, this book presents the material in an easy to teach from/easy to learn from approach. KEY TOPICS Chapter topics include equations, inequalities, and mathematical models; functions and graphs; polynomial and rational functions; exponential and logarithmic functions; trigonometric functions; analytic trigonometry; systems of equations and inequalities; conic sections and analytic geometry; and sequences, induction, and probability.For individuals studying Precalculus. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

No Return on Books Ordered From our Venors
My daughter ordered Pre-Calculus, Algebra & Trigonometry from Stephen Brick (decafbooks@corncast.net). She received Algebra and Trigonometry. We paid $40, plus shipping and handling. Stephen Brick offered to refund us $14 if we pay shipping and handling. You need to make it clear that you cannot return books ordered from other vendors through you. ... Read more

Book Description

In this best selling Precalculus text, the authors explain concepts simply and clearly, without glossing over difficult points. This comprehensive, evenly-paced book provides complete coverage of the function concept and integrates substantial graphing calculator materials that help students develop insight into mathematical ideas. This author team invests the same attention to detail and clarity as Jim Stewart does in his market-leading Calculus text. ... Read more

Book Description

Stewart's CALCULUS: CONCEPTS AND CONTEXTS, Third Edition offers a streamlined approach to teaching calculus, focusing on major concepts and supporting those with precise definitions, patient explanations, and carefully graded problems. CALCULUS: CONCEPTS AND CONTEXTS is highly regarded because it has successfully brought peace to departments that were split between reform and traditional approaches to teaching calculus. Not only does the text help reconcile the two schools of thought by skillfully merging the best of traditional calculus with the best of the reform movement, it does so with innovation and meticulous accuracy. ... Read more

Book Description

As the best-seller in its field, Precalculus, 5/e, offers both instructors and students a more solid, comprehensive, and flexible program than ever before. Designed for the one- or two-term precalculus course, the text opens with moderate algebra review and introduces trigonometry first with a unit circle approach and then with the right triangle.

For a complete listing of features, see Larson/Hostetler, College Algebra, 5/e.

Book Description

This book builds theoretical statistics from the first principles of probability theory. Starting from the basics of probability, the authors develop the theory of statistical inference using techniques, definitions, and concepts that are statistical and are natural extensions and consequences of previous concepts. Intended for first-year graduate students, this book can be used for students majoring in statistics who have a solid mathematics background. It can also be used in a way that stresses the more practical uses of statistical theory, being more concerned with understanding basic statistical concepts and deriving reasonable statistical procedures for a variety of situations, and less concerned with formal optimality investigations. ... Read more

Reviews (16)

Outstanding though challenging intro to math. stat.
IMHO the best introduction to Probability Theory and Inferential Statistics. Because it doesn't say "Mathematical Statistics" in the title I ignored it for years and iterated between several other good texts. But Casella & Berger is more accurate, more up-to-date, and/or more fun to read. It strikes a better balance among topics and among schools of thought. It is furthermore exceptionally lucid and original, and very carefully edited. The organisation of the text is perfectly coherent, but this doesn't make it easy to skip difficult parts or concepts. The use of the book is also somewhat constrained by the author's effort at using nonstandard and challenging examples and problems (euphemistically called exercises). In practice I have to provide standard exercises to (econometrics) students as additional material. I am slightly uneasy with the unequal treatment of some items, many being emphasized as numbered propositions whereas others are just mentioned in the text. I similarly regret the cursory treatment of asymptotic distributions and asymptotic efficiency (for the purposes of econometrics). I do not like the exposition of Analysis Of Variance, but on the other hand I marvel at the stimulating treatment of linear regression in the last chapter.

Quibbles apart, Casella & Berger is a demanding but most rewarding and stimulating introduction to (so-called) mathematical statistics, and in particular it is exceptionally dependable and witty. Beginning students may require some complementary material in the form of standard exercises and worked-out examples.

Excellent introduction to mathematical staticstics, but...
We used this one as text in the senior undergraduate course this semester. This book is an excellent introduction to mathematical statistics but probably too difficult for most undergraduate students to learn in just one semester.

In my opinion, to read this book you Do need a strong background in calculus. Having taken courses like real analysis, introductory probability/statistics is helpful but not so necessary.

Most difinitions and proofs are clear and precise. The examples are good, but the authors quite often refer to the previous ones, which may be anoying for many readers. The excercises are great but take a lot of time to work out. In my case, each one took me about one hour on average. And I feel that quite some problems require "mathematics" besides knowlege of statistics. I recommend that you solve as many excercises as possible. Our Professor assigned at least 20 from each chapter as homework.

One more thing, I bought the first printing of the book, and found quite a few typos. You can download from the author's homepage the errata list but that doesn't cover all.

In conclusion if you are a serious math student interested in mathematical statistics, I think this is a good book for you.

Probably the best book for a newcomer to statistics
I found myself wanting to learn statistics and spent many hours browsing the stat books at the Stanford book store - and this book had it all. Some of the proofs are relegated to exercises and this is both fun and maddening! If you have a basic math background - a physicist or engineer equivalent - you will have no problems understanding the book. It's expensive - but you will have months (if not years!) of fun with it. There are many typographical errors in the book but many of them are found in the "errata" at the end. Now, if some one came up with a solution manual for this...

Excellent textbook for introductory to modern statistics
If you have basic trainings in calculus, you'll love this book. The book is almost good for self-study. It's very well written and easy to follow. This book provides a good introduction to theoretical statistics with good examples.
Compare to many badly written mathematics books by famous mathematicians that gave me terrible experiences, I strongly recommend this book. As I was reading this book, I constantly recalled the hard time I experienced when I used Royden's "Real Analysis" or M. Artin's "Algebra". These two books are classical math textbooks that are appraised by many mathematicians. But according to my knowledge, many students extremely hate these two textbooks simply because these two books are hard to follow unless you read other textbooks. In my eyes, these "bad" textbooks are good only for those who have already mastered the contents (for exmaple, professors who have taught this subject for their entire lives). As for me, after I completely understood the topics, I found these two books are quite useful as reference books. But still I believe these two books are not good for entry-level students if they know little about the subjects in the books. As contrary, Casella-Berger's book is very good for entry-level students. Good knowledge in calculus is sufficient for you to easily follow this book. Moreover, the content of this book is not simple, it contains almost all of modern statistics.( many poor calculus books are written in such a way that in order to please the students, the author intentionally omitted some important subjects and/or reduced the level of the contents. By doing so, the author became famous and the book went to best-selling, and the students, without any working, are happy to wrongly believe that they know everything while they don't at all!). "Statistical Inference" is good only because it is carefully written. Casella-Berger are not only outstanding researchers, they are also good educators, They know students, they know at what point students would encounter difficulty and at this point, the readers will find an appropriate example to help them out. After reading many bad mathematics textbooks, I believe that mathematician are trying to make our lives more miserable, and this is one of the reasons I lost my interests in mathematics, though I am one of the best students according to many professors. After I finished the reading of Statistical Inference, I immediately fell in love with statistics, I believe statisticians are trying to make our lives better. While I was going through "Statistical Inference", I was also reading Richard Durrett's "Probability: theory and examples", a widely used typical textbook in probability for first year PhD student in statistics. Compare to majority entry-level PhD students in statistics, I have much stronger back ground in mathematics (I mastered the subject of Lebesgue Measure, Integration and Differentiation), yet I experienced the same hard time as I did in some other math classes. My blame can only go to the bad written textbook, I have to read other textbook to understand the topic, and this is absolutely not good for a not-stupid and hard working student. I am always curious that among all the textbooks available, why mathematicians prefer the textbooks that will give students more hard time. For the same topic, using different explanation, students will have different feelings, why can't the professor pick up the more friendly written books for the sake of student's easy understanding and their continuing interests in the area?

My belief was strengthened after completing the reading of Casella-Berger's "Statistical Inference" and R. Durrett's "Probability", that one must keep away from mathematicians as far as possible since your life will be tough if you are close to them. And as for myself, I won't do research in probability since the book "Probability" gave me the impression that more mathematicians are involved in the area of probability theory. I'll go with Casella Berger, concentrate on the filed of statistical inference since scientists in this particular field are trying to make our lives better.

For those who indeed want to learn statistics and who have no strong specific back ground, I strongly recommend Casella Berger's "Statistical Inference"!

very good, but it is difficult material for many people
If you've read a lot of reviews pertaining to texts often used in difficult courses such as physics, grad level math & stats, etc, then you know that invariably a student victimizes a book during the semester. As a student and an instructor, I can safely say that the grade often correlates with the opinion of the book, usually the opinion of the book follows the student's perception of his or her grade in the class. This book is used for some difficult classes, but I can assure you, without being too specific, that it is well written. This material is difficult. I'm not a stats wizard, but I do like the subject area. I will say this: having been a graduate student at the University of Florida, any of the texts authored by the stats faculty there are excellent (ie: Agresti, Mendenhall, Khuri, Casella, and others). It is an outstanding faculty and I have had lectures from all of those professors. Reading their texts is just as clear as listening to them during office hours. My main point is that this is a very good text book. If you want it as a reference, get it. If you want it to supplement another text for your stats class, get it. Just make sure that you have a professor equally as knowledgeable about stats as the author, otherwise, it may be difficult to get help with difficult sections. I suspect the student that wrote from San Diego does not have an instructor that either follows this text closely, or adequately understands the material (I hope it is not the latter). Get this book and keep it around, you will reference before, during, and many years after your studies are through. ... Read more

Book Description

This market-leading introduction to probability features exceptionally clear explanations of the mathematics of probability theory and explores its many diverse applications through numerous interesting and motivational examples. The outstanding problem sets are a hallmark feature of this book. Provides clear, complete explanations to fully explain mathematical concepts.Features subsections on the probabilistic method and the maximum-minimums identity. Includes many new examples relating to DNA matching, utility, finance, and applications of the probabilistic method. Features an intuitive treatment of probability—intuitive explanations follow many examples. The Probability Models Disk included with each copy of the book, contains six probability models that are referenced in the book and allow readers to quickly and easily perform calculations and simulations. ... Read more

Reviews (29)

One of the best books on the subject
Although it's titled "a first course", the reader will find difficulty in using the book without a background in Cal II.

This book is clear, concise, with lots of inspiring examples to expound the concepts & applications. It would be wonderful if a solution manual were written, however. The exercises are well written and some challenging, and if no sufficient practice has been done to comprehend the concepts in the chapter, the reader is likely to stumble on the exercises.

If you enjoy exploring the mathematical reasoning behind the applications, have the necessary prerequisites (calculus) and are willing to pay the efforts, this book is a great choice.

Better than the average math book
I used this book in an intro. probability course and was pleasantly surprised with it. Most math books I have used in the past have either been too sparse on worked examples, or too wordily confusing in the presentation. This book was nice in that it contains two types of exercises (normal and theoretical) as well as Self-Test problems that have detailed answers in the back. Those self-tests really help when preparing for exams. Content-wise, the explanations were fairly clear and straight-forward with a lot of real-world examples. As far as math books go, this is better than the norm.

Be careful about what other people say
I've almost did not bought this book because of other complains.
Those guys who complain about this book probably don't have enough knowledge to appreciate this book and should firt criticize themselves instead of crying because did not fully understand what a PhD form Stanford wrote. This book has really interesting worked examples and hard exercicies. It is true that it need a solution manual, but there are plenty of worked solution for some kind of problems. Anyway, if you never undertood very well combinatorial analysis and probability in high school, you rather buy some other book.

extremely unhelpful
as a student I've found his text confusing and his exercises horridly dumbfounding. I bought 4 other probabity books to understand what he's trying to say. All the other books are better at explaining the examples and in general more patient with the student. If you are a student, buy another book to learn the material.

Pretty Bad
This is not the worst textbook I've ever used, but it's far from the best. Whichever reviewer was complaining about important things not being in boxes is right. One example which sticks out in my mind is as follows.

In section 7.6 Ross explains moment generating functions, but nowhere in the section is there a definition of moment. Consequently, I never really understood moment generating functions, and there was a final exam question on them in the course I took. Well, if you happen to know that the first moment is the same as the mean, then you might for some reason look up "first moment" in the index (don't bother looking for "moment", because it's not there). The entry for "first moment" says, "see mean". Then if you look up "mean", you'll find that in section 4.4 on the Expectation of a Function of a Random Variable, there is, in fact, a tiny prose blurb which defines moment. No boxes, no nothing. It's just three lines between a proof and the next section. I guess this is fine for people with photographic memory and perfect recall.

Also, the examples were numerous, and tended toward the elaborate, which clutters the text. I think the author intended to make things stick better by using examples he thought would be easy to recall. Personally, I've gotten used to the more common math pedagogical model of defintions, theorem, proof, which is more or less disposed of in this text in favor of extensive examples. Or maybe it just seems that way because the examples drown everything else out.

In general, I felt this text could benefit from more formalism and fewer examples. When the author writes something, he should think to himself, "Have I defined all of the terms in this statement? If so, is the reader likely to remember them, or can they easily be looked up?" I don't think Ross was asking himself these questions as he wrote this book. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Great self study book.
I'm 38 and am a home schooler and to get back into math mode, I chose this book. I did every odd problem and some of the systhesis problems. You will learn the material if you take the time. I spent around 14 or 15 months to get through the book. The program is excersises and review. Constant review is huge plus. I recommend you get the solutions manual from addison wesley. I've just started Marv's et.al.. Precalculus book and then will go onto calculus. I'm enjoying the math. Much more then in high school.

My son and I sit down and learn together. He says "get your book" and lets do math. The key to his desire to do math is because he see's his dad doing it.

I've seen many other books and this tops them all.

Makes it easy-free tutoring, & web site practice problems!
This book is not all you get. The book itself is great. But the additional FREE helps which come with the book assure that even the most inept math student can learn algebra. These helps consist of, but are not limited to:1) free tutoring via phone,email,& fax; 2)free practice problems via internet website. Other supplemental materials consist of: Videotapes, Tutorial Software, and a solutions manual. These are all available for the student. I haven't even mentioned the benefits that a classroom teacher has through the Instructor Supplements. These consist of a Test Bank/Instructor's Guide, extra practice problems, mtls for transparencies, video tape index, and several tools for the computer users: test generator, test grader,on-line course management and testing. In other words, this is a great resource for teachers also. I am in the processing of trying to purchase it for my school. ... Read more

Book Description

Bill Bryson is one of the world’s most beloved and bestselling writers.In A Short History of Nearly Everything, he takes his ultimate journey–into the most intriguing and consequential questions that science seeks to answer.It’s a dazzling quest, the intellectual odyssey of a lifetime, as this insatiably curious writer attempts to understand everything that has transpired from the Big Bang to the rise of civilization.Or, as the author puts it, “…how we went from there being nothing at all to there being something, and then how a little of that something turned into us, and also what happened in between and since.”This is, in short, a tall order.

To that end, Bill Bryson apprenticed himself to a host of the world’s most profound scientific minds, living and dead.His challenge is to take subjects like geology, chemisty, paleontology, astronomy, and particle physics and see if there isn’t some way to render them comprehensible to people, like himself, made bored (or scared) stiff of science by school.His interest is not simply to discover what we know but to find out how we know it.How do we know what is in the center of the earth, thousands of miles beneath the surface?How can we know the extent and the composition of the universe, or what a black hole is?How can we know where the continents were 600 million years ago?How did anyone ever figure these things out?

On his travels through space and time, Bill Bryson encounters a splendid gallery of the most fascinating, eccentric, competitive, and foolish personalities ever to ask a hard question.In their company, he undertakes a sometimes profound, sometimes funny, and always supremely clear and entertaining adventure in the realms of human knowledge, as only this superb writer can render it.Science has never been more involving, and the world we inhabit has never been fuller of wonder and delight. ... Read more

Reviews (236)

Just like on PBS
I like Bill Bryson's writing style. This is a book one wishes they read as a teenager. It really brings science alive. One feels like they are witnessing events as they occur in the first person. I like how Bryson takes scientific topics and makes them simple too understand. Bryson puts numbers in perspective and helps the reader understand the spatial enormity or complexity of the elements, atom, planets, and stars. Its easy to retell a Bryson story because they have good imagination well connect ideas that flow into an interesting story without sounding too intellectual. Like, "What is it like to be inside of an Cell? How do cells work? Who discovered DNA and why?" Question like these.

I think reading "A Short History of Nearly Everything" is a great introduction to science, astronomy, biology, and geology. Bryson keeps the narrative down to earth, terminology to a minimum, and brings out interesting viewpoints on the birth of the cosmos, the self-repairing DNA, life on planet earth, and the composition of the earth.

Bryson did a job not boring the reader with the mysteries of science. Its entertaining reading and not difficult material to understand. Bryson presents thought provoking material that makes one want to read many other published books by Bryson.

He Really Does Cover Nearly Everything
Bill Bryson is one of those rare non-fiction writers who can combine anecdote, humor and actual information, all in one book. Here he covers the history of the earth, starting with the big bang and covering all sorts of ground since then, including why you should be really afraid of meteors (by the time we spot the big one it'll be too late) and why you should think twice about that next visit to Yellowstone (the big one is about due).

As with most of his books it's clear he's done a lot of research, and the book is larded with the kind of stories about Famous Scientists that you've probably never heard...but also full of the sort of survey scientific information that will leave you thinking you've learned something really interesting.

Definitely worth picking up.

Who will like it: lovers of pop science, lovers of Bill Bryson, people willing to read a thick book from start to finish.

Who won't like it: people bored by pop science or any science at all.

Rediscover what you learned in school and forgot
This book is aimed at people who either know very little about science, or who studied it in school and then forgot it all (my case). I read some of the reviews here and was shocked at how people criticize Bryson, especially saying he got scientific terms mixed up or had errors in his book. He is not a scientist and in my opinion that makes this book that much more impressive! Bryson devoted years of his life to learn this material, and to think we can take it all in by reading a book.. well it just doesn't seem fair! I was sad when I reached the end of the book, I wanted it to continue. I learned so much from this book, and it's interesting how many times the subject material in this book comes up in every day conversations.

Bryson approaches history from two angles: Astronomy and what we know about the universe, and Evolution and what we know about life on Earth. I learned so many things I didn't know. Fascinating facts such as that meteorites are used to date the earth with carbon dating (they're the same age). Meteorites contain proteins needed to build life. Human like species have been on Earth for 1 million years. After finishing this book, I find myself thinking about topics like these during my free time. That's how impressive this book is. If you love science, this won't be a book you just read and forget. It's a book that will teach you things you'll be thinking about for a long time.

Honestly I cannot recommend this book highly enough. If you're interested in science, it is a must read.

Michael

Tabloid history of science
The book's title is very gripping but somewhat misleading - it is in fact a book of science tabloids - in a good way. It covers basic findings and histories of almost all major areas of natural sciences in a shallow but easy to follow manner. It is not intended to be introductory to science and science history (find a textbook instead), it is a fun-fact book of science and science history.

This book is full of interesting anecdotes of science and scientists behind scene, which makes the reading stimulating and gives the readers a joyful sense of "discovery". Here are just a few examples top of my mind:

- Components of your daily household cleaning powders like Comet and Ajax are made from the huge ash deposit in eastern Nebraska - they are leftover volcanic ashes from the ancient monstrous eruption of Yellowstone.

- Marie Curie, the only person to win Nobel prize in both chemistry and physics, was never elected to the French academy of sciences largely because she had an affair with a married fellow physicist after Pierre Curie died in a traffic accident. Madame Curie eventually died of leukemia and her papers and lab books (even her cookbooks) are so dangerously contaminated by radiation that those who wish to see them must wear protective clothing.

- Clair Patterson (a University of Chicago alumnus), who in 1953 gave the definitive measurement of the age of the Earth (4,550 million years - plus or minus 70 millions) by analyzing lead/uranium ratios in old rocks and meteorites, was also the leading expert in atmospheric lead poisoning and the early advocate of cleaning lead additives from manmade product. To his credit, Clean Air Act 1970 eventually led to the ban of leaded gasoline in United States in 1986. Almost immediately the blood lead level in Americans dropped 80%.

Informative tabloids like these are all over the book. Bryson did a perfect job of bringing dull facts in history of science into fun everyday life experience. He compiled a huge amount of anecdotes from otherwise hard to find sources and weaved them together seamlessly in fluid and humorous writing. It makes the reading of science fun.

The best book you would be able to read in your lifetime!
By reading this book you realize how lucky you are to be here right now. To be reading this in front of your computer is an acomplishment that you may not realize. It shows how much we know about ourselves and the enviroment around us. "A Short History of Nearly Everything" explains in full detail how we became who we are, how we survived, and how impossible it is to do so. If you are interested in science and are looking for something to read, this well-written story is a great page-turner. ... Read more

Book Description

This the shortest mainstream calculus book available. The authors make effective use of computing technology, graphics, and applications, and provide at least two technology projects per chapter. This popular book is correct without being excessively rigorous, up-to-date without being faddish. Maintains a strong geometric and conceptual focus. Emphasizes explanation rather than detailed proofs. Presents definitions consistently throughout to maintain a clear conceptual framework. Provides hundreds of new problems, including problems on approximations, functions defined by tables, and conceptual questions. Ideal for readers preparing for the AP Calculus exam or who want to brush up on their calculus with a no-nonsense, concisely written book.

Reviews (12)

Buy Swokowski's Calculus instead.
It's hard to believe that this puzzling, error-filled book is in its 7th edition.

I've been using the book for two semesters in a distance learning program. In this setting, where the reader needs to learn from the book rather than from an instructor, the book is inadequate. It's single strength - brevity - doesn't make up for its weaknesses: mystifying explanations, worked examples that omit important steps, and errors. Many times, this book made me laugh out loud when, after literally hours of effort, I finally understood what the authors were trying to communicate. There is no way I could have completed my classes had I not had Swokowski to refer to.

Beyond these weaknesses, the book is loaded with throw-away Horatio Algerisms ("Skill at this, like most worthwhile activities, depends on practice.") and hokey humor ("We have no desire to let this text suffer from the standard ailment of older texts, called 'revisionitis.'") These give the book a dated, musty feel: it's as if you are looking back at how calculus used to be taught 40 years ago.

Finally, six weeks into the first semester, the binding failed, converting the book into an expensive, 900-page, loose-leaf folder. Overall, not a book I enjoyed spending time with.

good but solutions manual is a must have
This is a good book for calculus. I usually go to class and do not undestand the professor because he speaks a different language then come home and figure it out from the book. The solutions manual is a must have for this course unless you have an excellent teacher or tudor. I find it helpful to check my problems half-way through completing them to make sure I am on the right track. And when I do not understand the text book instructions, the solutions manual usually puts me on track.

Classic "Attachable" book
Requirements for all books should be;

(a). being able to feel attachment for.
(b). clearly understandable to readers in the assumed level.
(c). benefitial to buy and read.
(d).[equivalent to (a), (b), and (c)]. unique.

This book satisfies all the above conditions [and (d)]. The style is very accessible to everyone who knows algebra. Math lovers who want to go beyond algebra should buy this book. Now, its particular uniqueness are the followings: mine has been separated into many stapled pages, though I personally like to sort them whenever I touch the book; examples are enough to illustrate introduced theorems. Of course, it doesn't end up with down-to-earth proofs. Wherever that might happen, it says so, and theorems that can not be proven with attainable knowledge are "left for advanced Calculus courses." Consequently, all presented proofs are quite rigorous in understandability.

(c) will follow for appropriate readers.

Good to start with, and will be one of your old friends.

Calculus 8th Edition Varberg, Purcell, Rigdon
This book stinks. Most of the positive reviews came from mathematicians not from students that have to study from this book! My fear of calculus is worsen after using this book. For someone who try to make it though college and working her tails off this book isn't helping. I'm not saying that it have to be easy, but there are so many erros in this book that I wasted my time trying to figured it out how to solve some problem that isn't even correct! Many students told me that have they not been taking calcus before, they probably won't pass the class. This book doesn't give good method of how it goes from point A to point B. There were a number of times where I would stare at the pages, wondering how the book came up with the answers, (was it magic). Another very annoying thing about this book is giving the easiest example problems that it can. This can really screw me over when it gives an oversimplified example for a theorem, and then in the problem set, there isn't any guide of how I can solve it. There were alot of problems that I couldn't even start because this book didn't give me adequate explanations or examples! Bottom line is, I don't think I'm that stupid, but this book really hurt myself esteem.

Perhaps the best out there...but that's not saying much...
I am in something of a unique position to critique this book. You see, I have, due to the fact that I attended different schools and therefore had different teachers for Calculus I, II, and III, been forced to buy three different ... calculus textbooks.

I feel that this book in many ways is the best. Keep in mind, however, that this isn't saying much. For the most part, calculus (and math in general) textbooks are somewhat difficult to learn from. This stems from the fact that we students like to see lots of worked out example in order to "get" it (buy Schaum's outline or REA's Problem Solver for lots of worked examples). In many cases, a calculus book like this will give you, perhaps, one example for a given procedure and leave it to you to deduce the rest.

Still, I like the fact that this book contains the material for Calc. I, II, and III. If nothing else, it saves us some money.

One final comment: as another reviewer on amazon has already noted, the binding on this book is quite poor. I have seen many other students in my class with books in which the pages have started falling out. Perhaps Prentice Hall should provide us with a better binding for a hundred bucks. ... Read more

Book Description

A best-selling introduction to statistical analysis in the social sciences written to be understandable to a broad range of readers, particularly those without a strong background in mathematics. This book provides the right balance of conceptual understanding and step-by-step computational techniques. It also offers clear, logical explanations for the rationale and use of statistical methods in social research. Designed for those entering a field of sociological study and wanting to learn statistical analysis. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Best Basic Statistical Text for Social or Policy Sciences
Excellent description of the purpose and procedures of basic statistical techniques. Uses simplified formulas, and does not get lost in the math. Easy to read and understand. Good for social science and public policy courses, including public administration. Only drawback: does not effectively incorporate computer applications.

Jack Levin, Elementary statistics in Social research
One of the best statistics books I can think of for social scientists who are not well aquainted with statistical procedures. The book is structured in several chapters, each concentrating on one statistical problem. In the first part of each chapter the theoretical background is given, followed by examples. Then, other examples are given, so that it becomes easily understandable how to correctly use the formulas respectively when they can't be used. Finally, there is a part of exercises where the reader may apply his new knowledge, before proceeding to the next chapter. However, it is just an introduction, not dealing with more complex statistical problems. Very recommendable for anyone who needs a solid basic knowledge in statistic or who wants how to start processing existing data. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Terrible book
This book is a farce! This book is terrible! The author doesn't go straight to the point when presenting his information, and the excersices he presents doesn't match the examples he provides(and the examples are far too few and his words are puff with little relevent content). I guess he wants the institution or individual to purchase the separate 'Solutions Manual' so he'll get bigger profits.

Maybe if you're an engineering student, this book will be a piece of cake since you already have a strong math background. But if you have to endure this book, make sure that your instructor knows how to teach, you know - really decipher the information and make it very deliverable to you as a student. If your instructor doesn't know how to do this and tries to teach it to you as if you had a degree in engineering, just withdraw from the class....you're instructor is a egotistical farce as well..

What ever happened to teachers who REALLY want to teach?

If you want to learn statistics on your own, buy the book "Statistics for the Utterly Confused" by Lloyd Jaisingh, Ph.D. He delivers the content fairly well. Also, go to tutoring if your campus provides it. ... Read more