It's awesome!

The book does what good books should: it makes you think.

However, the authors are (1) derivative in some cases (much of their work can be found in Thomas Handy's explorations of how the world of work is changing, such as in his book, The Age of Unreason, c. 1989); (2) don't footnote/cite their statistics (eg, 12 percent of Americans trust public-interest messages from large corporations - says who?); and (3) are somewhat "new-agey" (Part Four uses subheads pulled from the Noble Truths of Buddhism, not to imply that Buddhism is a new age religion).

They criticize macroeconomics, stating "when consumers control the market equation, they can have whatever it is that they want." Huh? Consumers have unlimited resources? Since when?

A good fast skim if you are familiar with changes in the world of work. Neat trivia (list of things that existed in 1960 that no longer exist today). Wild projections for 500 years hence.

I found on my second review that I argued more with the authors (in the margins of the book) than on the first take (which was on an airplane). That said, I'm surprised the book is not on Amazon.Com's top 50 business or computing lists.

In this novel, Jimmy lives with Carl and Tabitha on the Terran colony Wolfbane. On his sixteenth birthday, Jimmy is given a Stiron und Ritter .75 rocket pistol like Carl's and an adult permit to the training range. Jimmy presents his application to the Space Academy to Carl and Tabitha for their approval, but Carl tells him that he can never apply. He is still determined to gain admission to the Space Academy, so he transmits the application despite Carl's orders.

Later, Jimmy confesses his actions to Carl and is surprised at the reaction: Carl tells them to pack everything they need to leave the planet. He also tells Jimmy to wear his S&R .75 from now on. Carl does fill him in on part of the situation and Tabitha tells him more. Then the raiders hit their cabin.

This novel is more of an escape and evasion plot than anything else, but it is also the tale of James Endicott's coming of age. He now knows that he is being hunted relentlessly and later learns that the hunter is Delta. In his flight, he meets Cat Thibaudeaux, who takes him under her wing.

This novel was apparently written in collaboration with William T. Quick, who has also written Systems, a fairly interesting SF novel. This novel, however, does not have the complexity of Quick's other novels.

Recommended for young adults and anyone else who enjoys relatively simple plots in a SF setting.

Unfortunately, the Delta Project devotes an inordinate amount of text on extolling the virtues of the new Internet economy and how technology has brought us closer to customers. The stars of the Delta Project include Egghead.com (now bankrupt) and WorldCom (almost bankrupt).

The book states, "Egghead has had outstanding success in almost completely converting to a web-based operation." And again, "WorldCom stock has generated the second highest shareholder return in the 1994 to 1999 five-year period" and "WorldCom created enormous value by pursuing a unique strategy." Unique indeed! Well, in the last week WorldCom shares have fallen by 80 per cent and their corporate bonds are trading for 50 cents on the dollar. On the other hand, Southwest Airlines' "best product" strategy is "fragile" because it does not "bond" with customers. Yet SWA has INCREASED earnings since September 11 when other airlines are struggling.

And then there is ENRON! Enron has a "major competitive weapon" we are told. Shhh! Don't tell anyone! Enron has "dealmakers who arbitrage the market to take the net exposure the company desires. Enron's profit (sic) from trading now exceeds its profit from generation." Bad call guys!

If readers can get beyond the poor analysis of the companies they chose to illustrate their framework with, they may find some useful ideas.

In the spirit of her controlling metaphor, the sand dollar, Willis gives immediate delight like the flower design etched on a sand dollar's back, and deftly reveals the underlying intrigue such as the sand dollar's intricate food grooves, tube feet, and system of sand ballast under the thin etched dome.

Faced with this abundant evidence of genius in nature's designs, I found myself asking what exactly this genius could be. As Stephen Jay Gould has said, these are "paths that a sensible God would never tread." But while physical laws describe a trend to disorder (entropy), life plays with designs and moves toward greater order, as if consciousness were not an exclusive property of the brain.

This book is full of "possibility space" and it's a good read.

I found the section of the book devoted to the writer's experience in the Delta truly fascinating. I found the second half of the book to be a genuine 'page turner.' While I thoroughly enjoyed reading the book, I wanted to finish it quickly to find out what happened to Handy Campbell. I did approach the ending with some hesitancy-would Campbell be found guilty even though he was innocent or was he actually guilty? I must admit that the final outcome of the trial was something I never even considered.

I highly recommend this book. As a native of Mississippi, I strongly urge those unfamiliar with the state to experience second-hand the good in the people that Mr. Rubin encounters-it is easy to see the bad. The author uses a clear voice from which the reader can draw his or her own opinion.

One passage I liked in particular is the account of the author's trip from Memphis to Greenwood by bus. We all have times in our lives when we experience the trepidation of starting something new, be it college or a new job, but the courage involved in making a move like this, sight unseen, knowing no one -- truly amazing, and beautifully written as well.

I'm not a big football fan, but my attention never flagged. I found the trial so suspenseful that I couldn't take it -- I actually skipped to the end to read the verdict! (Note: I don't recommend doing this!)

I loved this book because it gave me a window on another part of the world, then drew me in and showed me how you can at once love people and hate their prejudices; it expanded my view of the world. Anyone who enjoys a well-written story will love this book.

I think of this as a must read for intermediate to advanced technicians especially system traders.

In spite of the fact it is relatively raw material for trading, it has great potentials.

All the best lucks to you all. And remember, 95% of traders are losers but they only represent half of the money. Sadly, most of them are beginners who won't last for 3 months. END