I'm tempted to describe this book as self help for PhD's with fear of failure, though perhaps that's a bit uncharitable.

Mlodinow describes his troubles starting new physics research at lofty CalTech after his PhD dissertation, a year of soul-searching and insecurity about his abilities. In search of a mentor, he had several conversations with Feynman and had the foresight to record these, at a time when Feynman wasn't a public celebrity yet.

The result is a mixture of an abbreviated personal diary, accounts of the atmosphere and personalities at CalTech, simplified descriptions of the physics involved (e.g. string theory), and some conversations with Feynman. Note that the latter make up only a fraction of the book.

If you're looking to learn more about Feynman, there's not a lot of new material here. If you're curious to read his advice to a promising young physicist, this book may be for you. It's well-written, engaging, and a quick read.

Well, this book makes an evening of good reading. Feynman fans would instantly identify with his vintage mannerisms such as scorn for psychology and philosophy, showmanship and his wonder of nature. It contains Feynman's views of how a scientists life should be, how he must go about choosing problems and the emphasis that he must lay on his belief of his capabilities and the problems tractability.

But, more than all the above, this book is about the authors struggles with high expectations. He portrays the emotional lows that graduate students and fresh graduates undergo when they step out to the real world. It tells you that no matter how smart you are, which school you went to, or the quality of work you produce, there would always be moments of self doubt. Feynman himself faced such fallow times more than once, even after he won the Nobel.

Surprisingly, the author does not mention that Feynman went through exactly the same dilemma when he got out of Los Alamos. He was being offered positions with high salary from Berkeley, Institute of Advanced Study, Cornell etc. Feynman felt that he did not deserve these posts as he would not produce any good work any more in his life. How he got over this feeling is a wonderful story in itself.

Overall, I guess the book is worth buying if you are interested in the life of a scientist in general, especially a young one.

Author and physicist Leonard Mlodinow shares his experiences as a young post-doc at the California Institute of Technology, where he had an office just up the hall from Richard Feynman, in this candid and funny memoir.
Feynman - who, when Mlodinow showed up at Caltech, was already living with the cancer that eventually took his life - was an inspiration to the young physicist, who first discovered an interest in physics when while working at a kibbutz in Israel. An old copy of Feynman's book The Character of Physical Law was part of the kibbutz's small library, and it helped Mlodinow decide on his next step - a Ph.D. in the sometimes strange field of particle physics. When the newly minted Doctor's thesis caught the attention of some of Caltech's faculty, Mlodinow found himself offered an unusually plum position on Caltech's faculty.
While at Caltech, Leonard struck up an acquaintance with Feynman, even coaxing the opinionated, occasionally cranky genius to commit his thoughts to cassette tape in a series of interviews. What might have turned into an abstruse version of Tuesdays With Morrie set in the halls of elite academia becomes - thanks to Mlodinow's courage in including himself as a player in the story, and through the graces of Feynman himself, who had little patience for mentoring or moralizing - a cleanly direct exploration of career anguish and punctured hero worship that ripens into a true affection.
It's also about more than Professor Feynman: the book takes his attitudes and his reflections to heart (none more so than the pure and concentrated pleasure Mlodinow observes Feynman taking in the small details of everyday life), but Mlodinow makes room in his account for a small cast of characters that broaden and enrich the story by providing context, contrast, and unexpected sympathies. When the young post-doc, fretting over the physicist's version of writer's block, takes his stoner buddy Ray to a physics lecture, only to run into both Feynman and Murray Gell-Man, Feynman's (mostly) friendly rival and counterpart on campus, Mlodinow forgets to worry about his stalled professional arc from brilliant post-doc to Next Big Thing, and sweats instead over what Ray might come out and say to the touchy, curmudgeonly Grand Old Man of physics. Naturally - and behind young Leonard's back - the two strike up an instant rapport.
Mlodinow's sometimes prickly encounters with Feyman's secretary and self-appointed watchdog are a hoot, as are the passages in which Leonard (and we, his readers) meet the various chaps all up and down the hallway - Constantine, a flashy sort with a fabulously glorious actress girlfriend and a penchant for panache and adventure, John Schwartz (yes, that John Schwartz, the fellow who came up with string theory), and one unnamed chap who, mired in limbo with no Big Idea to pursue, seems to spend his hours tending to a small plant nursery in his office. Young Leonard fears that he will end up a mirror image of this last, whom he dubs "Dr. Gardner," but a brush with his own mortality - and Feynman's sometimes brusque influence - exert themselves, and Mlodinow quits worrying quite so much and learns to follow his bliss.
Along with his small, memorable roster of dramatis personae, Mlodinow folds into his story a fair amount of modern physics theory, making the mysteries of the mathematical universe and the tantalizing goal of a Grand Unified Theory of nature resonate with his own youthful quest for truth, beauty, and happiness. There is also an instructive rumination present on the different philosophies in science - the "Greek" versus "Babylonian" points of view. (The know-better Murray Gell-Man follows the rational, experiment-oriented Greek model, while the more playful Feynman embodies the Babylonian appreciation of intuition and phenomenon.)
"The forces of nature are disparate, but in fine balance," Mlodinow writes at one point, and in his effortlessly charming style, he seems to adopt this as his slogan: for all its assorted and not obviously connected themes, Feynman's Rainbow moves gracefully and with a tender mixture of respect and affection for a man who shone with a child's sense of wonder, and who was also one of the twentieth century's great scientific minds.

This book might be helpful for very beginning swimmers to get started by learning about how to move in the water. But if you feel already confident holding yourself at the surface, I would not recommend buying this book. It teaches outdated technique, which makes your swimming unnecessarily slow and power-consuming. When I learned to swim 15 years ago the techniques and drills she teaches were already outdated, especially in the freestyle! The section on the turns are well written, but compared to recent articles in magazines like "Swimmer" the explanations are too complicated and confusing. Spend your money on books and videos by Emmett Hines or Terry Laughlin, it well get you the most rewarding experience.

I bought this because I wanted a better understanding of swimming as a sport. I had learned the skill of swimming like most people do in their youth, but since I wasn't very interested in or good at sports my learning stopped as soon as lessons did. In adulthood I rediscovered the joy of swimming and I wondered how I could develop more sophisticated skills. I also wondered how "real" swimmers think and feel about their sport and how they go about their training: what challenges them, what kind of routines do they use.
This book was perfect for me. The author began with the absolute fundamentals of having a relationship to the water and went on to suggest basic routines for the beginner like me. She then took her descriptions to routines for those on the advanced competitive level. I liked being able to see where a more talented person could and would go which is in itself very interesting even though I'll never reach that level; this insight puts my own beinning work into perspective.
After reading this book I was inspired to swim and continue improving my routines. I would never need another book on this subject after this one, it's that all-encompassing for the amateur.

After years of aerobic dance, running, and weight lifting, I wanted to find an aerobic activity that was less injury-prone. I turned to swimming, and found it to be the perfect alternative. An avid childhood swimmer, I just needed some tips for refining my technique--it wasn't until I picked up this book that I discovered that my breathing technique was all wrong! I also liked the ideas for progressively more intense workouts that went beyond just endless laps. This book gave me all that and more--I'm now doing flip turns and as Katz says, my joi de vivre now includes joi de l'eau!

Upon reading Jan Phillips latest effort, "God Is At Eye Level", I was called upon to examine where I stood on my journey. Husband, family, & career had taken the time & energies previously used for silent contemplation. Pursuits, especially my photography, had been pushed aside. Frankly, I was reacting to life's events. Jan's book helped me to reclaim the time spent examining this life. It moves you to stop, think, ponder & reflect. It will cause you to focus on the miracles of each day. Her ideas will instill in one the importance of surrounding oneself with those people and things that make you smile. In the process, her book will unlock the creativity that may have been pushed aside to attend to the more mundane aggravations of daily life.

For me, the prose read like inspired writing. As I read her words, and viewed Jan Phillips photographs, I was influenced , and uplifted, by the spiritual depth, clarity, empathy, wisdom, and balance---all of which were genuinely offered within these artistically presented pages. This book is definitely a valuable and a loving gift to those of us who are aspiring photographers! Each of the participatory Reflections --insightful, enjoyable,down-to-earth FUN suggestions by Jan-- gives us clear ideas/ inspirations to Start where we are, right Now! The book encourages us to explore our creativity, our lives, and the world around us.I know this book is one I will continue to read and re-read. The courage, grace, and wisdom offered to every reader of God Is At Eye Level is ageless.

"God is at Eye Level" is a beautiful book--a moving book. Here Jan Phillips discusses the healing effect of photography on the personal and sociological levels. The design, photographs, quote-selections, and lucid writing are artfully woven together to produce an evocative read.

Several sub-themes radiate, all reinforced with illuminating quotes from famous artists and thinkers. Among my favorite themes is the relevance of "the moment," or "the present." As Jan says, when embarking on an "excursion of seeing, the rest of one's life is temporarily on hold. There is nothing to reckon with but the moment at hand." When anchored in the present, one's regrets and fears tend to dissolve. You are treated with a "sweet joy" and the healing nature of a "now" orientation.

Your photographs reflect who you are. As a result, you can discover as much about seeing inside yourself as the world outside. When you go out and shoot, Jan says, "honor your instincts, for the images that result are like clues to a treasure hunt," symbols which later tell you who you are, where you've been, and where you are going.

Jan tries to develop a relationship with everyone she photographs. She strives to achieve empathy with all her subjects. For her, the relationship comes first. Her portraits grow out of this closeness and express the intimacy from which they emerge. As a result, a portrait reflects the authenticity of a person's spirit.

Jan discusses the healing influence photography has upon society. She cites several photographers whose work evoked a national response and encouraged social reform. Among others, Jan includes the work of Dorothea Lange (migrant farmers) and Laura Gilpin (Navajos).

And lastly, many photographers wait until they are inspired before they go shooting. Jan says that for her, inspiration comes while working, not before it. The key is to start working, then discover while underway. Once you do, you will experience the healing nature of photography.

Everything anyone could possibly want to know about the history and background of "The" Necronomicon. Every library should have a copy of this excellently researched and nicely written book. Clear, concise, well reasoned -- and unfortunately all too rare to get a hold of.The last section itemizing theNecronomicon in film and television is amusingly done and valuable in and of itself.Most of all, the authors' careful, informed, level-headed approach to the entire cultural phenomena thathas developed out of Lovecraft's fictional grimoiredeserves praise. Obviously a labor of love.

Anyone interested in learning the truth about the Necronomicon should read this. This book is definitely a well-researched,well-written piece of work. Lots of surprises in store for the reader. The authors carefully unfold issues, ideas, and facts behind the Necronomicon that are both easy to understand and absorb. A great reading for Lovecraft fans and newcomers to fantasy and horror literature. If you want to know what the Necronomicon really is, then get this book.

I think the reviewer from San Diego may not have read the same book I read. The one I read was well-researched, well written, and stocked with interesting facts. The entire point of the book, in fact, is that the Necronomicon is a myth - but it's an interesting myth, which came from Lovecraft and developed a life of it's own. A great read, well worth the money, and highly recommended.

A children's story that may be read on several different level's, North Wind is a timeless work of literature. Eagerly anticipated and listened to by the children I read it to, the story also strikes deeply at our adult sense of spirituality. This is the kind of writing that brings back the rewarding closeness of reading aloud to others. Too bad we don't do more of this.

This children's book has had a profound impact on my faith and spirituality. It is a book I have read and re-read over the years, especially when I am struggling with my faith. The story, Diamond's relationship with the North Wind, satisfies one on an almost mystical level. Its simple, beautiful story leaves one knowing that no matter what happens in the world, God is God; and we can rest assured that He is in control. We can be at peace, in spite of the pain and evil in the world.

Don't look for answers. Simply read the story and let it wash over you. If you have the faith of a child, you will not be unaffected.

This enchanting classic is as lively and moving to read as the day it was written. There is no Victorian stodginess or moralizing here. I remember reading an essay where Simone Weil lamented over the difficulty of portraying goodness in literature--in fiction evil seemed to dominate. Well here in the character of the lad Diamond is one of the most convincing evocations of human goodness and saintliness in literature, childrens' or adult. One is reminded of St. Francis of Assisi when contemplating Diamond; his purity, innocense, and unselfconsciousness float right off the page. I especilly call your attention to the dialogue between Diamond and his mother on the beach as she tries hopelessly to explain to him that now they are poor. His sublimely worldly (and yet otherworldly )responses are both hilarious and deeply moving. One of MacDonald's core beliefs, so often and passionately stated throughout his writings, is here given flesh and blood: goodness is truth.

The Magic Daughter: A Memoir of Living With Multiple Personality Disorder, by Jane Phillips (pseudonym) is the first-person narrative of a woman who suffers multiple personality disorder -- more precisely dissociative identity disorder (DID) -- most of her life. Since the author does not have the typical chronological concept of time until, for the most part, the end of the narrative, the book is composed of snippets of recollections and experiences with each chapter encompassing a theme. Oddly, however, the book does nonetheless have a peculiar linear fabric to the recollections. Apparently, to some extent, the author also recognizes this toward the end of the book.

My reading this book was not one of choice. I was assigned this topic in an Abnormal Psychology course two years ago. However, after finding this book, I was still reluctant upon reading it, expecting it to be dull. (My apologies to those suffering from DID who found support and enlightenment in this book.) Suprisingly I found the book very engaging, regardless of its non chronological sequence, and the author's quite fluid writing style.

Nonetheless, on the negative side, most of the way thru it I found myself feeling doubtful. I began doubting either the authenticity of this work or the writer's sincerity. However, that feeling is probably groundless....

The negative criticisms I have are that there are certainly some unanswered questions; for that matter unraised questions in the text. But, if this work is authentic, it very well may have been that the writer wrote this more for herself than for others.

Secondly, it is interesting to note again that if Jane had MPD, her disorder was not nearly of the severity as other noteworthy cases I have read about including the case of Chris Sizemore upon whose experiences the book and movie The Three Faces of Eve were based. There are similarities between Chris Sizemore's experiences and Jane's, however, it is difficult to get beyond the sense that much of Jane's supposed MPD symptoms and experiences did not result after, and as a result of the diagnosis of MPD.

Nevertheless, it was a very good read. Engaging, thought provoking.

Like only a handful of books written about multiplicity, this one was written by the multiple herself, rather than her therapist. However, unlike so many other multiple-written books, this one was actually decently composed. Which, after attempting such poorly-crafted tomes as I'm Eve and Prism, was an enthusiastically received change.

The Magic Daughter also differs from other multiplicity books in one other, significant way. Though arranged in rough chronological order, this book is more a series of personal essays than an autobiography. While this is frustrating in one regard--in that not all "plot threads" are adequately resolved--it allows the writer to avoid rehashing less than interesting moments in her life and concentrate on the issues that she truly wants to handle.

Although I know multiples who truly hated this book, I enjoyed it highly. On numerous occasions, I found myself reflected in its pages. I was easily able to identify with passages such as:

"Life is hard! I want to shriek. My head aches, my mind roars with voices, I have no extra money, I'm exhausted, and I can barely think straight. I scream in the night, my body aches with remembered abuses, and therapy requires that I recall and then relive those old, horrifying traumas."

Perhaps if she had focused on the happier moments of multiplicity, her story may have been more endearing to empowered multiples. To her, however, multiplicity is something that needs to be cured, though she does acknowledge it may have causes completely unrelated to abuse.

"I suddenly felt unnerved. Her therapist was a man who'd made a substantial name for himself because of his work with abuse survivors; he often lectured and offered workshops. For some reason, I blurted out that I'd been multiple three, maybe four years before I was sexually abused." (Italics mine.)

Sadly Phillips does not deal with natural multiplicity for more than a few paragraphs. Perhaps such an exploration would have been out of place in this book, which is focused more or the end of multiplicity than its beginnings. It does not end happily with integration, though. While Phillips does make inroads towards that goal in the final half of the book, she is only at the start of the process when the book ends, with much work still ahead of her.

How she handles integration may make many multiples wary. She simply decides to stop dissociating, that she's had enough. It's not that cut and dried, but that is the brunt of it. And, as she is seen in this book very much as the core personality, she believes that she can simply stop, much as one can stop chewing their nails. Multiplicity is simply a more elaborate and debilitating habit.

And that's where she'll lose a lot of multiples, especially those that truly love and care for their system mates. Still, whether or not I agree with her, I enjoyed reading about her opinions and struggles. The book was very well constructed and a fast read. With that in mind, I'd recommend it, though it may drive some empowered, non-trauma-based multiples crazy.

I stumbled across this book, doing research on dissociative identity disorder (DID). This is a textbook (though not written as one) of the disorder and how one with the condition works to attain integration. Later, in discussions with my fellow medical team members (Yes, I am one of those!) I realized how little my contemporary therapists knew about the condition and how it manifests itself in daily life. It was not at all what they expected.

As a clinician, with patients affected by this condition, this book is a marvelous therapeutic device to help them come to terms with what is affecting them. More importantly, it gives a realistic model of how one womam came to terms with her disease and the work she went through to become integrated.

The book's descriptions of the terrors and the traumas that helped to contribute to her condition are muted and appropriate, however, care should be taken to make sure that the patient is ready to read and understand more about DID.

Ms

Yes, this book is very informative on inheritance of color in the equine and is complete with a small section of color photos of both horses and donkies for examples. However, being an equine artist and horsewoman myself, I find this author's discussion of each color unclear, somewhat disorderly, and contradictive of itself. Many of the photos are of horses 'out of coat' and showing winter color rather than their true late spring/early summer coats that experts agree are best for examination of hair and patterns. Looking at the descriptons for some of the coat colors illustrated contradicts what the author himself has stated as being true for identifying certain colors, particularly as concerns the horse's points. He also uses out of date and vague terminology for roan colors and overo patterns. Although a great debt of thanks is owed to Dr. Sponenberg for his research in this relatively new area of study, I fear there are more readable authors (with more and better photo examples & detail shots) who are up to date on the research being done in this field today.

This book is excellent! It describes in detail the genitics associated with different horse coat colors as well as the likelihood for achieving those colors when breeding horses. If you are breeding for color, this book will give you the possibilities of getting certain coat colors from your particular dam and sire. It cannot predict what you will get, but it can tell you not only what colors are most likely to get, but those colors that are least likely, and those that just cannot happen with the color horses you are breeding. I have now gotten 3 buckskins on the ground because I bought this book...and I had a lot of luck as well. But being new to breeding horses, this book allowed me to delve past all of the wivestales and get to the facts so that you can, at the very least, have the best possibility for the coat color you prefer. I recommend this book highly!!! I have given them to friends in who have been in the horse business forever and they have learned a great deal from this book! Everyone I know is very impressed. It is easily understood, even if you are not a geneticist. I am definately not either and I understood every word.

If there was any one good book focusing on the genetics of horse color, this book is it! It's the best and most accurate book I have found on the subject, and it covers all equine colors from the basics to the more rare colors. A must have for anyone intersted in horse color research! It even includes donkey colors. HIGHLY RECCOMMENED!

If you're a long time Bible reader, this paraphrase will awaken you to new perspectives on familiar Scriptures. When I read it, I find myself thinking, "Oh, I never thought of it that way," or "Well, I don't think I agree with his take on that verse." Either way, I enjoy this straight-forward reading of Scripture a little more than the NIV. Honest.

The reviewers below are right--this is a _fun_ translation. The obvious wit and humor of Jesus easily shines though, unlike the unreliable and nearly worthless King James mistranlation. For example, when his disciples get scared, Jesus essentially teases them, "What wrong, little-faiths? Lost your nerve?" This is a pleasure to read. Written the way people talk (and I'm sure people thousands of years ago talked just as people do today), this version, although written in 1958, should still be an essential addition to the library of anyone interested in the Bible.

Great work. This is a true translation that offers insight into the meaning that may be lost on the modern ear in many previous translations. It doesn't have the same feel as those that came after (viz., NIV, NKJV, etc.), where a very formal language is preferred, but it's held up over time. I think it's the informality that gives it its special charm. It also helps to know that Philips was not only a skilled translator, but a mature Christian. I think the text will please on levels that others don't approach. Best description: it's kind of folksy.

My Dad gave this to me when I was 9. I've been reading it off and on for about 30 years. If it was the only translation available, it would be more than adequate.

I only wish Phillips had finished more of the Old Testament before he died.

This collection of romantic short stories is a good pick-me-up for a bad or rainy days. All the stories are independent from one another. The only thing that links them all together is a Christmas theme.

The best story out of the four is Sherrilyn Kenyon's LOVE BYTES. It is story of two co-workers who are attracted to each other but their own personal insecurities keep them apart. Adrian is Samantha's supervisor and office relationships are discouraged. It is not until one of them is down and the other tries to cheer him up that their love blossoms. The story is nice and sweet even though there are some loose ends by the end of the story. This collection of novellas is fine as an escape after a bad or rough day but that's about it. It is not Masterpiece Theater

Santa, Baby by Patricia Ryan
I confess this plot did not interest me, therefore I skipped over it after reading the first chapter, hopefully I'll get around to reading it in the future.

Love Bytes by Sherrilyn Kenyon*****
A must read! Tomboyish Samantha Parker has had the hots for her boss, Adrian Cole for over a year, what she does not know/believe is that he has felt the same way. Well, it all hit the fan when Sam gives him a kiss of comfort after witnessing an argument he has with his sister, Heather. Will he be her knight in shining armor or will he ignore the attraction in order to keep him job? Another hot contemporary romance by Ms. Kenyon, it will keep you captivated until the end.

Naughty Under the Mistletoe by Carly Phillips*****
Toni is attracted to her boss but has kept her hands to herself. Well now that she has earned a promotion and will no longer be working with Stephan Corbin, she decides to celebrate and bring in the New Year getting naughty with him at the company Christmas party. She had no idea that she really was not attracted to Stephan until after she mistakenly locked lips with his twin, Max in a very naughty kiss. Completely embarrassed, Toni makes a beeline for the Christmas tree and throws herself into being Santa's elf. Max immediately hunts down his twin to stake his claim' on Toni.

Even though this plot is the common mistaken identity of a twin, Ms. Phillips does a brilliant job with it. This is a fast paced, hot romance that will make you want to run out and get you some mistletoe.

A Christmas Charade by Kathryn Smith*****
Mrs. Vail aka Elizabeth is a spy for England on a mission to rescue a spy named Maxwell aka Garrett, Viscount Praed currently locked in a French prison. The couple is instantly attracted to one another and don't deny the lust they feel but agreeably act on it during their return trip on her boat. Mr. Maxwell is not married and doubts that there is a woman still awaiting his return from the war and Mrs. Vail husband died fighting for his first love-his country. Once the boat is docked, Maxwell is so enthralled by her that he invites her met him at the Pultney Hotel for dinner the following night. Elizabeth arrives at the hotel right behind Garrett as he's getting out of his expensive carriage-knew she was out of her league and after confirming his status quickly flees. After awaiting her for hours and an extensive search for her at the Home Office, Garrett admits defeat and returns to the war. Knowing she can not have him, Elizabeth gives up the spy business, sells her boat, goes to Devonshire and purchases a cottage in the tiny village near to coast of Exeter thinking it would not be close to Garrett's home town. She has befriended Regina the wife of an earl that shuns society's ranks and accepts her invitation to spend Christmas with Regina's family. Garrett, Regina's recently betrothed brother is also en-route. What a surprise for them to unexpectedly meet again 8 months later.

Anticipation will keep you turning the pages of this hot historical romance.

NAUGHTY OR NICE comes as a timely X'mas read with its sensual overtone and provocative romance to warm up the freezing season. Patricia Ryan starts the heat with Santa, Baby where a private investigator Jack O' Leary is baited with a tantalizing sum of money by a rich man's wife to seduce the "home-wrecker". His plan gets complicated when Katherine isn't who she seems - but charms him off with her philanthropic and generous soul. Budding writer Sherrilyn Kenyon intensifies the sensuality with a romance with co-workers in a computer firm. Sam decides to take a gamble with an office romance and transform Adrian the geek to a devastatingly handsome stud and let her enter into his heart. Next comes the fabulous Carly Phillips who weaves love when rigid lawyer Toni loosens up on a seduction of her boss and kisses Max, his twin unwittingly under the mistletoe. Kathryn Smith brings readers back to the historical platform with a story of a widow who rescues a viscount on a spying mission then later fall in love.

All the 4 stories are of quality and brims with enough mischief to delight readers into the festive mood of love. Its languid sensuality and delicious read is however the feature that distinguishes it from the other anthologies. Rarely has a romance anthology succeed in equating light romance with sex, but with the talented ensemble it proves that a miracle can manifest itself.

Aristotle was one of the greatest men that has lived on Earth, and his contributions are numerous, however, I found this book to drone on and on about the types of government...I had to put it down, because I was so bored. If it gets better later in the book, please let me know.

Aristotle's The Politics is without a doubt one of the most celebrated works of political science from antiquity. He begins with a description of a state, advances through the numerous types of constitutions, describes the ideal citizen, and defines good government-not to mention numerous other fascinating political insights into the running of a state.

Aristotle's outline for government and state has been influential to political scientists for over 2,400 years. His discussion on the cons of complete unity, as well as his chapter on "the natural and unnatural methods of acquiring goods," certainly must have influenced Karl Marx, and his discussions on the "good of all" certainly led to Mills and Bentham's utilitarianism.

The Penguin Classics edition gives the reader an authoritative, inexpensive copy that is ideal for scholars as well as students. The footnotes are helpful, but not excessive. An excellent purchase all around.

As a mystery novelist, I find that reading a wide variety of materials helps enormously in my work. This book is one I read regularly. I first read POLITICS OF ARISTOTLE during my college days at Claremont McKenna College. The political science department insisted on a classical background for its students, and this book was one of the canon. It impressed me then. It still impresses me today. I only wish Aristotle could collect royalties on the books sold.