Larousse Gran diccionario is one of the very best extensive Spanish/English dictionaries on the market today. This book is great for any bilingual learner that is beyond college level Spanish 1 or any bilingual translator.
Some of the best features of this book are:

-Contains Latin American vocabulary (not limited to Castilliana Spanish).
-Extensive definitions to almost every non-regional specific (and some regional specific words) words.
-Common uses and phrases are given for almost every word.
-Basic English and Spanish grammar outline.
-Low price for such a monumental book.
-Larousse quality. Virtually every product and dictionary in Spanish that I have seen that Larousse publish is better than average quality at very competitive prices.

If I was going to give this book a grade it would be an A+ for value, quality, ease of use, and extensiveness as a dictionary.

Larousse has been the only dictionary line that I have ever recommened from high school to graduate school. You'll never go wrong with Larousse.

Larousse's line of dictionaries is one of the most impressive in the foreign language department. This huge unabridged Spanish-English dictionary is incredible. It contains virtually every word any novice or expert would need to know. In addition, Larousse does a great job of discerning the different translations for the different usages of any given word.

But the benefits do not stop there. The unabridged dictionary has an extensive genre-specific vocabulary, ranging from medicine to technology. There are also very detailed sections outlining both Spanish and English grammar and structure.

In short, this unabridged dictionary is the definitive source for Spanish and English translations. Larousse has done a spectacular job!

This is one of the best books on movie palaces. The writing is sharp--Dr. Bagley is a professional journalist and teacher of writing.

All her research is original--so this is the only book where you can find this information. The photos are sensational and someof them are breathtaking of the architectural designs on such theateers as the St. Louis Fox or Powell Hall.

This book is a treasure and I wish Dr. Bagley would write more.

I enjoyed reading Mary Bagley's book, The Front Row. I remember going to these old movie palaces when I was a kid. I like the way the movie houses are verbally described and the history of them related. I have found the book to be extremely accurate and a good photo collection.

The detail and time that went into such a book, it's hard to put it in words. After reading it and looking at the photos you can't help but wonder where have all the great movie houses have gone. If you talk a walk into the neighborhood of such places you would be ah struck to see the change. I feel that she has gone through great pain to try and capture the once thearters that use to be. It's hard to find people like this to go through the detail in discovering such movies houses. Thanks Mary for doing such a great job.

yeah, that's right. if i only knew about this before i Voted things woulda been different. i wouldn't have Voted. i would have stayed home and read this Damn Book. it's good, man. tell the people at the Voting place not to miss me next time, cuz i'll probably reading anudder one of these Books. because i like them. word to the factions of readers who dig the everett. word to them. word indeed.

This novel convinces me, were I in need of convincing, that Percival Everett is the most devious, unscrupulpous, and altogether brilliant writer of comedy in America. Hell, he'sprobably the best writer of anything.

This is an immensely enjoyable read. Once I cut it open, I could not put it down. Everett's main character, Rhino Tanner, is so detestable, you end up actually accepting him simply because he revels in his own distorted and destructive ideas. 'Comedy with fangs'? I totally agree.

I am saddened that this book is OP though perhaps a reprint is in the works. JBS from Gramaphone takes us on a tour of the history of recorded opera and lieder singing. His knowledge and enthusiasm lead me into a world of singing that I scarcely knew existed. His lucid style and comprehensive take on the records have had me buying and enjoying scores of CD's as an entire era has opened for me. I can't thank him enough for guiding me through the thicket of various recordings and providing insights that have deepened my understanding and enjoyment of singing. This exciting history has been a bedside favorite for years and I still turn to it when I see a new historical issue. Though the book covers singing up to more recent years, I may never make it to the 50's! Though the book could stand updating for current CD issues, it's not hard to translate dates of recordings to current issues. A tremendous acheivement. I could only wish for more, though I get that in his long running column in Gramaphone.

Anyone interested in opera and singing would appreciate this book. Steane is one of the greatest listeners around, and reading (and re-reading) his insights on these singers will make you a better listener too.

This is a book that can't be adequately praised enough. For anyone who has shelves of recordings, especially of opera singers of the pre-WW2 era, this insightful writer has an uncanny way of describing the merits of each singer, especially given the aural limitations of the old recordings, and in describing certain phrases or certain colors at the singer's disposal, makes one run for the actual selection, and listen to it with new ears. It's also exciting to hear his reasons for praising a certain singer and to hear him articulate so brilliantly what it is about a certain artist that, in his opinion, makes them cherishable. For instance, I've tried to explain what it is about Tito Schipa and Lotte Lehmann that moves me to tears, and here in this book are ample descriptions and commentaries.

Especially interesting is the chapter about individual arias, for which he suggests up to 6 recordings by various artists to use as comparison, phrase by phrase, and sometimes note by note!

For a lover of great singing, and a student of the history of singing, this book is literally priceless.

I first learned of Dr. Peebles through a friend. I had a critically ill child, and I was having a great deal of trouble dealing with the situation. Channeling was not something I was familiar with, nor was it the kind of thing of which I would think very highly. A friend convinced me to try a session with Thomas Jacobson as he channeled Dr. Pebbles. He allowed me to videotape the session, and I was amazed by his insight. Even after watching the tape over again and again, it fascinated me. Certainly many naysayers would would dismiss this kind of event,
but I don't agree. No one could provide such deep insight and clairvoiance as a ruse.there was little hesitation. he didn't have time to make up stories to fit the exact circumstances. Even if it was faked somehow, it was outstanding.

This book is a terrific introduction and summary of the teachings of Dr, Pebbles. If you have even the slightest open mind, you will find his approach to life refreshing, clear and simple.

Life changing? Dr. Peebles' teachings changed my life more significantly than anything I have ever done or experienced. He taught me how to deal with my job, my family, my life.

The book has been a lifeline. I have one copy I loan to friends in need. The other, I pick up and reread with great pleasure. I don't normally reread anything.

Don and Linda Pendleton captured the essence of Dr. Pebbles through Thomas Jacobson's channeling. I have been with Thomas, and the Pendletons give us a great insight into the teachings of Dr. Peebles.

Read this with an open mind, and you will never approach life the same way again. It's all good. you'll be glad you did.
If you get half the benefit I did from this book, you will be glad you read it.

Very recently, two of my grandparents from opposite sides of the family passed away. I was saddened tremendously, and often isolated myself from school friends, sobbing all day long. One day my mom found a few copies of this book in the bookstore (she had been looking for a copy for her friend) and bought two, one to replace the one she had lost, and one to give to her friend. I read her copy and enjoyed it thoroughly; it changed my life forever. I can only give TDwA a solid five stars, as it is one of the greatest books ever written. It sheds light on nearly every aspect of life and death, relationships, and the history of the universe. Buy this book now!

I first met Dr. James Martin Peebles, the grand spirit featured in "To Dance with Angels" through medium Summer Eimers, a friend of the authors. To say the least, the encounter was life-changing. I cannot get enough of the insight, love, and wisdom offered by this beautiful soul. "To Dance with Angels" will inspire you, challenge you to look at the world in a more loving light and help you lighten up just a little on this journey through life. I read it for insight again and again.

I chose this book for my final project in geology class because I was interested in Yellowstone National parks though I have never been to, and this book was very good not only to read but also to review my studying in the class. Yellowstone and Grand Teton ground systems such as ground movements and heating systems are covered and also advanced my studying. Actually, I had totally no knowledge about geologic activities before I studied in the class, so this book was also really good to review my studying. In addition, this book introduces these parks view points with beautiful and colored pictures, so this book also can be used for a tourbook. It is no doubt that I will go to these parks with this book!

A friend loaned me this book two months ago. I haven't returned it yet. It is simply the best book on these two parks that I have ever read. The authors accurately portray the very considerable geological power present in each park, and yet do not manage to make either park a fearful place to be avoided. Instead, their writing is a persuasive invitation to visit these wonderful manifestations of nature for an extended period. I was particularly impressed by the visitor's tour set out near the end of the book. I took a part of that tour in 1994, and the narrative is very accurate. I will certainly use my OWN copy of the book when I go back again this autumn. (I don't want anyone to think I don't return borrowed books!) This book is an absolute musthave-mustread for anyone going to the parks or interested in the geological processes that have made the West. Enjoy.

This treasure will turn "topography" into a household word. Dedicated to a fellow geologist recently killed by an avalance while conducting fieldwork, "Windows" is a slick and dramatic feature presentation of volcanism, earthquakes, and geysers. Superb maps and graphs colorfully illustrate variable stratae formed through the eons. An informal and friendly text is scholarly without being stuffy. The writers establish a tone of substance and humor as they discuss multiple upheavals that created Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons. This is the kind of book that will impress early rock-ologists and even be hoarded by their more secretive, sedimental parents. The writing never "dumbs down" but is lucid with factual attention to landscape formation without snubbing the human astonishment that continually witnesses it. Thanks to geologist Smith and naturalist journalist Seigel, the book is threaded with lively accounts from park rangers, tourists, and waitresses at the Old Faithful Inn. Appeals to romantics and literalists alike. Studded with beautiful, full-color photographs. Every page is hefty and sleek to the touch, a feast for the eye as well as the brain. Kind of a wonder-book for anyone who seeks the phenomenal in terra firma.

When I received this book in the mail, I tore it out andstarted reading it and didn't put it down. Couldn't put it down.I've been a Funk fan for almost 30 years having grown up with their music. I was really looking forward to this book when I heard it was coming out, and it didn't let me down. Well written, lots of facts with some great quotes I've heard and some I haven't heard from all the band members. It was interesting reading about their early days, and how they felt during all that since TK didn't really let them talk at all except (with a fight it sounded like) through their music. Billy James (AKA Ant Bee) is obviously a Funk fan, but this didn't shy him away from putting in the bad press and reviews the band received over the years, which if memory serves me right were most of the reviews they received, but this didn't stop them from going gold on their albums and selling out arenas. It is written mostly it seems from articles and interviews given by the band over the years with some correction from Don Brewer and Mel Schacher. It has an extensive bookmark section from where these articles and interviews came from. Very little dirt if that's what you're looking for, but a few amusing stories. Some good pictures too. I highly recommend this to any Grand Funk fan. It's a must!

An American Band, The Story of Grand Funk Railroad is a wonderful new book by Billy James that covers the History of the American Band Grand Funk Railroad (1969-1999).

An American Band covers GFRs Meteoric rise to Rock N roll Superstardom; there fall (due to the break up with there manager and the ensuing lawsuits) and there rebirth and reunions. The Book Goes through an album by album and tour by tour synopsis. It also covers Mark Farner's, Don Brewer's and Mel Shcacher's personal lives and solo careers. An American Band covers the origins of GFR (Bossman, ? and the Mysterians, Pack and Jazz master Days), The critical disdain and loyal fan support, The break Ups, The 80s reunion and the current reunion (96-98). It also covers GFR on the Internet and has a list of all the fan based sites.

Grand Funk Railroad formed in 1968 and released there first album, "On Time," in 1969. It was a first in a series of huge selling records ("On Time", "Grand Funk", "Closer To Home", "Live," "Survival," "E Pluribus Funk," "Mark, Don and Mel," "Phoenix," "We're An American Band," "Shinin' On," and "All The Girls in the world Beware"). GFR was an underground FM type band and received little airplay and nothing but negative media attention (if not outright hostility). Even with all that, Grand Funk Railroad with the support of a huge and loyal fan base, was the largest selling Rock group in the 1970s (1970-79); they sold twenty-five million albums in the United States and another 20 million more worldwide. They were the first band to sell 12 straight Gold Albums and 10 straight Platinum albums. They charted many times (With a switch to a more polished sound in 72 and the addition of a permeant keyboard player Craig Frost) with two songs reaching #1, "The Loco-Motion" and "We're An American; with also "Bad Time" and "Some Kind Of Wonderful" reaching the top 5. In 1975, GFR won the BMI award for having the most played song on the radio, which was "Bad Time". There were thrown off the Led Zeppelin tour in 69, cause Zeppelins manager could not stand the fact the GFR was the crowd pleaser (GFR blew the mighty Zep off the stage). They went on to tour on there own. They sold out Shea Stadium faster than the Beetles, and sold out in the US and in their worldwide tours breaking records where ever they went. All this is covered in An American band in detail and Billy makes great use of critics reviews (both good and bad) and also the reactions of Mark, Don and Mel, to show what they thought about all that was happening around them. Billy also goes on to detail GFRs later and solo albums "Caught in the Act," "Born To Die," "Good Singin Good Playin," "Flint" (Don Mel and Craig's band), and Mark Farner's solo albums "Mark Farner," No Frills," "Just Another Injustice," "Wake Up," "Some Kind Of Wonderful." And GFR's New efforts "Bosnia," A double Live CD with proceeds going to the Bosnia war orphans and refugee relief fund, and "Thirty Years Of funk-1969-99," a 3 CD set Anthology covering the band from the pack days to three brand new songs.

GFR has always been the "People's Band." If they had something to say they did it, Mark Farner was always very political and it came out in his songs. His Anti Vietnam sediments were shown in songs suck as "Closer To Home," & "People Lets Stop The War;" His worry about the environment issues was shown in songs such as "Save The Land," & "Ban The Man." Overpopulation and spiritual searching in songs such as "So You Wont have to die," & "Comfort Me." Mark who was always a Christian became a devout follower of Jesus in the 80s and Mark's God Rock albums are covered in Billy's Book as well. Back in the early 1970s, GFR took a stand against hard drugs by doing promotional ads urging their generation not to destroy their lives with drugs. This was not a popular thing to do, at that time, but they showed the caring necessary not to worry about record sales and do what was right. They also helped establish the Phoenix House, which started in New York City. Phoenix House worked mostly with teens who were drug dependent. Mark, Don, and Mel named an album after the Phoenix House, "Phoenix," in its honor and played concerts for free to raise money for that institution. They also did advertisements for the Red Cross to get young people to Give Blood. Billy does a great job showing all sides of the band.

An American Band is the most documented and complete History that can be found on the great American Band, Grand Funk Railroad. Billy does a great job showing there whole history the good with the bad, the book is excellent and a must have for every GFR Fan. Billy also documents how the band was ripped of by the Manager Terry knight, and for this section alone, every young inspiring musician sound read this book. Its on SAF publishing and its ISBN is 0 946719 26 8

Rick Cappetto

This book documents the history of the legendary American rock group - Grand Funk Railroad. It tells of their early rise to fame; from a garage band from Flint, MI. to selling out Shea Stadium faster than the Beatles. From a $6,000,000 lawsuit with their former manager to ten consecutive gold records. It tells of the groups demise in 1976 to it's rebirth in 1996; still packing stadiums like they did 20 years previous! With the help of Grand Funk band members Don Brewer and Mel Schacher, 'An American Band - the Story Of Grand Funk Railroad' is the definitive source for the history of one of the world's greatest rock and roll groups! As a bonus, Don Brewer has written the forward to the book as well!

It's difficult to find original material in most security books. "Hack Proofing Your Network, 2nd Edition" (HPYN2E) breaks that trend. Responding to feedback on the first edition, the authors have made numerous improvements in the second edition. If you're looking for relatively novel content in a security book, read the sections of HPYN2E I discuss next.

HPYN2E shines in many respects. The "laws of security" in chapter 2 are accurate and enlightening. Chapter 4 helps teach secure programming techniques by comparing insecure and secure code snippets. Chapter 4 also demonstrates debugging and disassembling code, usually not seen in security texts. Chapter 8 probably contains the most advanced coverage of buffer overflows I've read in a book. By actually showing and explaining stack traces, the authors share a level of detail sufficient to satisfy all but the most elite coders. Chapters on "diffing" (5) and format strings (9) are robust. Hardware hacking, thoroughly described in chapter 14, is fascinating. The author cared enough to include numerous clear photographs of disassembled equipment, and mentioned many helpful external web references.

While these great chapters comprise more than half of HPYN2E, the remainder is not exceptional. I was not happy with the rambling, wordy chapters on spoofing (12) and tunneling (13). Spare us the quotes from Dante's "Divine Comedy"! Still, this material is easily skimmed.

Because HPYN2E is written more from an intruder's point of view, the title doesn't seem to reflect the material. The book isn't exactly a "how to hack" manual, but it expertly illuminates many facets of compromising information resources.

When I read the first edition of this book, was truly disappointed. I was wondering how such people could have written such book. Not that the book was worthless, but too 'standard' to met the expectations I had from these guys.
Still the idea was very interesting (information directly from the real experts), and I kept waiting for a new edition.
Well the second edition is now out, and not only fulfills, but exceeds all my original expectations !!

Let's take a look:

The Approach:

Understanding attacks and vulnerabilities, by understanding 'how to hack' (good hacking of course. . . .ahem )

The Book:

Rewritten, expanded and improved, the book consists of 800+ pages well structured into 18 chapters (against 450+ pages and 15 chapters of the first edition).
Well written, well presented, with a real fancy table of contents, the chapters include url's, a FAQ section and a SOLUTIONS FAST TRACK one.
A lot of CLEVER code is included as well as helpful 'Tool & Traps' and 'Notes from the Underground. . . ' outlines.

The new sections (all outstanding) include:
- Hardware Hacking (otherwise only found in papers)
- Tunneling (excellent)
- IDS evasion (very easily explained)
- Format strings attacks

The Intended Audience:

People willing to become network security pros.

Contents:

- Introduction to Security, Attacks and related Methodologies.
- Cryptography.
- Unexpected Input, Buffer Overflow, Format Strings.
- Sniffing, Hijacking and Spoofing.
- Tunneling, Hardware Hacking, Viruses (et al.).
- IDS Evasion.
- Automated Tools.
- Reporting Security Problems.

The Bottom Line:

It is not just a good book, it is the best book among high level network security books, and the only that compares with specialized papers. Only quite easier.
I got more than 60 papers on buffer overflows. None compares with the classical 'Smashing The Stack For Fun And Profit' by Aleph One. IMHO, however, the corresponding chapter from this book, does compare and is really easier to understand.
Finally, the 'piece de resistance' of the book, is the chapter about Spoofing. Really enjoyed it, and by the way got surprised reading the innovative (to me) technique to 'Spoof Connectivity Through Asymmetric Firewalls'. Good Job Dan ;-)
As an added bonus, as an owner of this book, you'll find a lot of code files, applications and links...

I have the first edition of this book also, and I was really glad to see the second edition come out. There are some great hacking books out now, but I really think these ones are the best. I found in depth coverage on a lot of stuff you just can't find any place else. Some very cool info. on administering hosts locked behind a firewall and tips for making a "poor man's VPN". I also like that a lot of big names wrote the book, and their personalities really come through. A lot of tech. books can be a little dry even if they are well written. This one is actually entertaining also.

Sima Qian was appointed grand historian of the Emperor Wu's court in 108 B.C. In his Records of the Grand Historian he describes the events which he witnessed or heard of that occurred during his lifetime, which offers the modern historian a fairly accurate account of a contemporary historian of the Han Dynasty. He composed his records from conversations he had with courtiers. In addition, he also consulted a plethora of documents and files which were stored in the palace as well as having had the ability to interview generals which enabled him to comment on the military institutions of the Han Dynasty.
Sima Qian had the ability to accompany the emperor on his visits to the provinces where he was able to record the "barbarian" tribes and lands which were brought under Han rule by Emperor Wu. In Sima Qian's records we also have evidence of the penal system and the conditions in the prison system. Qian wrote very detailed descriptions of these penal conditions for he had an intimate experience with them, having been punished for his "attempting 'to deceive the emperor'" (xii). He was accused of using "veiled" words in his description of Emperor Wu, which was Qian's way of criticizing the emperor using language and words that were not outright critical, but inferred disapproval of the emperor and his actions.
The purpose of his official history is to record things so that the people who will be reading the history will be able to understand their past. This need to understand where one comes from helps states and individuals determine how and why they got to where they are. He organizes his accounts thematically, he discusses the military, generals, and he offers a geographic and ethnographic account of the peoples in the various "barbarian" provinces as well. He repeats himself often in order to get a certain point across.
The second way in which official histories are used is that they teach people important lessons. As Thucydides articulated in his Peloponnesian Wars Book I:
It will suffice if my work is judged useful by those who wish to gain a precise understanding of past events because, due to human nature, such events, or ones resembling them, will occur again at some time in the future (Thucydides, 1.22.4)
Basically, if you don't understand or study history, and the mistakes that were made in the past, then you are doomed to repeat them. He is very detailed in his descriptions because the more detailed a history is then the more accurate it appears to be by those who read it.
In contrast to Tacitus, the Roman historian who wrote about the Roman frontier, Sima Qian's descriptions of the barbarians occupying the Han frontier lands is more accurate, possibly because he was able to actually visit and see "first-hand" these barbarians whom he writes about, whereas, much of Tacitus' description came from second-hand sources, and usually merely stereotypical.
As an official history of the Han Dynasty, this book serves its purpose. It allows modern historians a semi-accurate look at what life was like along the borders of Han China. As a source, Sima Qian has recorded a history which makes a valiant attempt at staying clear of certain stereotypes which other historians such as Tacitus could not avoid, that of the uncivilized "barbarian". Rather, Qian's description of the frontier peoples is written from the barbarian perspective, therefore more reliable.

Good, readable translation of the authentic source material on ancient China. Nearly complete text (skips a few boring parts). It's worth it for Sima Qian (aka Ssu'ma Chien)'s story alone: imperial historian who offends the emperor but chooses not to do the honorable thing (aka commit suicide) so he can finish his book. That's perserverance.

I agree with everything the previous reviewer said, except that it is in print again as of 1999.

This is a five-star translation of a five-star book - China's first major work of history, dating from 90 BC. The Qin portion makes up only fifteen or so of the Shi Ji's 130 chapters, but tells the story central to the moral vision of the whole work. This is the rise and collapse of China's first imperial dynasty - Qin is in fact the name from which we derive "China."

The book is a remarkable commentary on human pride, intrigue, strategy and revenge; it also has an eye for detail and anecdote. To cite just one case, a minister is humiliated and driven from his kingdom; and ultimately takes revenge, as prime minister of a neighboring kingdom, by forgiving his persecutor, inviting him to a banquet, and then forcing him eat a meal of hay and water. There is also a detailed description of the tomb of China's First Emperor (the central figure of this book, whose career becomes exemplary of the folly of brutality and suppression of free thought); which has since been made famous by the discovery of the ceramic army of Xian.

Yet another good book spoiled by lousy editing.

1. Russians do not have middle names. It should be Andrey Dmitrievich Sakharov, or A.D. Sakharov, or Andrey Sakharov, but NOT Andrey D. Sakharov.

2. There are A LOT of mistakes in spelling of Russian names and book titles.

3. In two Greek words (allegedly by Plato), chresimos pseudos, I found 3 (THREE) errors: there are no zetas it those words at all, only sigmas.

4. By the time of Versailles Treaty, Romania had been on the map of Europe for about 50 years; it had not been created as a result of that treaty . . .

etc., etc., etc.

I do not believe Professor Weeks doesn't know when Romania was created. I blame copyeditor and proofreader . . . if there were any.

For a lot of Americans the best thing about the Soviet Union, or its saving moment, came in WW2. After Hitler's surprise attack (June 1941) the USSR became one more victim of Nazi aggression and joined together with US and Allies to end that most horrid totalitarianism.
Albert Weeks provides an essential corrective to this view. Drawing on newly available documents and his wide reading in Russian historians, Weeks argues forcefully for the view that Stalin had long had an imperialist project in mind for Soviet expansion into Europe, and specifically had the aim of striking his "ally" Germany. Hitler did not end a healthy alliance but only managed to surprise Stalin before Stalin could surprise him.
For a book in Soviet history, which has been loaded down with didactic interpretations on both sides, this book is refreshingly reasonable. Weeks weighs and assesses each bit of evidence he finds. He does not force evidence to fit his interpretation when there is room for doubt. And he is morally serious without being preachy.
Balanced and thoughtful histories of the USSR are finally possible. Who knows what other archives are going to be released? Which former Soviet officials will come clean about old state secrets? If Albert Weeks's book is any sign, reassessments of the USSR's past have a promising future.

This is an important new book by an expert on Soviet history in updated Paperback format.

Professor Weeks presents the reader with a lot of newly discovered secret information from documents from formerly closed Soviet archives.

Among these documents are transcripts of Stalin's famous toast to graduates of the Military academies from the 5th of May, 1941, and the text of Stalin's previously hotly disputed secret speech to the Soviet Politburo, dated August 19, 1939, just days before signing the Hitler-Stalin Pact including its secret protocol about the territorial division of Poland, the Baltics and Bessarabia. The text was discovered in Russian archives and has also been confirmed by diary entries of Comintern head Dimitrov. Stalin predicts that Germany will have to fight a long war against France and England, allowing the Soviet Union to sovietize not only defeated Germany but also France.

An even more important document is from the Soviet General Staff. It is a war plan against Germany, calling explicitly for a pre-emptive strike against German forces! The document, titled "Considerations of the Plan for the Strategic Deployment of the Armed forces of the Soviet Union in Case of War with Germany and its Allies", is dated May 15, 1941. It has been prepared mainly by General, later Marshal, A. Vasilievsky, Deputy Head of the Operations Department of the Soviet General Staff (Stavka). The Memorandum was presented to Stalin by Commissar of Defense S. Timoshenko and Chief of the General Staff G. Zhukov.
The document "Considerations..." (15 handwritten pages long) is explicitly calling for a pre-emptive strike against German forces.
This is fully in line with the offensive military doctrine of the Soviets that called for "Deep Operations" into enemy territory (a fact confirmed by many Soviet Officers and historians, but neglected and disputed by Colonel Glantz and historian Gorodetsky, both of whom are using pro-Soviet arguments throughout their books. In fact, Weeks deals both Glantz's and Gorodetsky's apologia of Stalin a deadly blow with his well researched book. Glantz and Gorodetsky have been granted access to Soviet archives precisely because they stick to the official Soviet historiography, I believe).
Weeks uses a number books and documents that have only recently been published in Russia, and thereby allows the reader to form his own opinion based on these materials. This is a great advantage over many other books that try to ignore every little detail that might contradict the author?s arguments. Some of the documents in this book have never been published in English language before in their entirety. The wealth of information Weeks is able to present Stalin's "offensist" intentions is convincing to anyone with an open mind.
There can be no doubt: Stalin had detailed plans of attacking Hitler, it just happened that Hitler managed to strike first.
The only criticism I have about this book is, that the "Considerations" are not published in their full length (The document has been fully published in Austria and Germany, however). Anyone with an interest in the latest revelations from Stalin's archives should read this fascinating book. Highly recommended!