This is an essential, for anyone who plans on a career in drafting or civil engineering. This book covers important information about drafting, and designing of various technical objects. This book has many wonderful illustrations and examples of the topics discussed within the chapters.

Excellent Mystery/Drama. One of those books you just can't put down until you're done.

My leads lacked tension and release. The ability to play outside(and to get back in) tastefully eluded me.
Melodic Junction served as a great introduction to stretching outside a tonal center without sounding like I was making a bunch of mistakes. It helped me control the dissonance by offering avenues for resolution. It helped clear up some gray areas on the fretboard too!
Twenty-two examples are played over a G minor vamp. The remaining key centers are explored as substitutions over Gm7; thus, varying degrees of tension and release are achieved.

Ex.1: Abm7 line over Gm7
Ex.2: Am7 line over Gm7
Ex.3: Bbm7 line over Gm7 ....and so on.

Two examples are given for each substitution: outside - inside; inside - outside - inside. The use of some common motifs keeps the book moving at a steady pace. I try to incorporate one new substitution every two weeks. It took me a few days to incorporate the first idea while jamming with my band, but it's now a part of my vocabulary.
While the book seems geared to modal and fusion players, it translated to rock-oriented material very well. This book is a fantastic starting point with its focus and concise examples! There's a lot more to learn, but I believe I am in headed in the right direction.

I read and reviewed "Messages From Space" earlier this year for a print publication. I am currently writing for two websites and wished to add some comments to this review area.
When I initially picked up this book, I was as skeptical as most might be. However, Jay Goldner's research was as fascinating as it was convincing. His finding's are presented in a clear and concise format that show there is more to the Crop Circle phenomenon than is being told to the public.
Though it has been proven in the past that some Crop Circles have indeed been hoaxes, the sheer numbers (over 10,000)and intricacies make it impossible for them all to be.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who has even a passing interest in the subject.

Michael Edwards

One of the more clever books on the market -- appeals to both children and adults. A rather whimsical text enhances some of the most original illustrations and art work you will see. One after another, the overlapping half-pages completely transform beautiful drawings of animals into birds, a kitten into a tree, etc., etc. Given to us as a gift, it continues to "give" -- just leave it on your coffee table and watch visitors pick this book up and read it cover-to-cover -- they've probably not seen its like!

I teach three levels of Systems Engineering and Architecture courses at the Naval Postgraduate School. I have now used this book for 2 years for the Labs.

The students each study and make presentations on the different case studies; relating there results to the Systems Engineering Process and the Architecture Hueristics.

Last Quarter, one class voted this book the best book of the quarter.

Cheers

Orin

Mexico Madness: Manifesto For A Disenchanted Generation by Eduardo Garcia Aguilar (a journalist with Agence France-Presse) is a scathing, sober, and meticulous examination of what it means to be Mexican, and what it means to be Latin American. Discussing such hot button political and economic issues as the gathering strength of the Zapatistas, the controversy surrounding NAFTA, and the emotional state of a land and its people, Mexican Madness is a powerful, insightful, candid account, presenting very a series of real problems in a no-holds-barred style of unforgettable writing by a journalist well versed in his craft and knowledgeable about his subject.

"The middle path" is a phrase that rings of moderation, temperance, and acceptability; the antithesis of "extreme." It gives a sense of inclusion and appeals to the mainstream. That's what, I believe, Jay Disney is hoping to achieve in his cookbook, The Middle Path, a book written to appeal to vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike. Disney provides a realistic and sophisticated approach to vegetarianism without being aggressive.

Disney discusses the various reasons for eating a vegetarian diet without offending the meat eating set and without getting on the cruelty-free soapbox. The only soapbox he stands upon is the one dedicated to "moderation." While he does make mention of the far-reaching benefits of a vegetarian diet, he does it in a matter of fact way that speaks to why people do it as opposed to why all people should do it.

In The Middle Path Cookbook, Disney supplies a book full of information on techniques and ingredients. Each chapter includes an educational introduction giving descriptions of the focus ingredients and cooking tips. For many cooks this may be old news. However, those less experienced cooks will find this information and instruction takes away the intimidation factor in most of the more sophisticated recipes.

Disney's recipes range from basic to sophisticated, healthy to decadent, with everything in between. Although Disney uses eggs and dairy in several of the recipes, he does offer up some advice on substitutions. Still, there are a number of recipes using heavy cream, butter, and sour cream without mentioning whether or not non-dairy substitutes would work in those instances. Many of his recipes are "transitional" in nature, but he still manages to include recipes utilizing tempeh and seitan for the more experienced vegetarian.

Overall, The recipes are creative and tasty, especially the vegan ones.
--Review by Lucy Watkins

Jay Luvaas, a military historian who taught at the US Army War College created a sensational and original work with THE MILITARY LEGACY OF THE CIVIL WAR: THE EUROPEAN INHERITANCE. The book analyzes the tactical, technological, and strategical changes that occurred because of and during the American Civil War. The book further explores how Germany, England, and France either took the appropriate infomration from the Civil War or how they ignored and struggled in subsequent wars. The introduction of the text in itself is a short course of the military history of the American Civil War and the rest of the 19th century military experience as Luvaas recounts what he had learned along with the main European powers. The book is an excellent read that flows quite well and would be worthwhile to those interested in the ACW and military history in general.

This classic introduction to the historical parameters upon which contemporary management practices are based is a must read for individuals climbing the management ladder. The impact upon the personal skills of the manager makes it required reading for those who wish to manage with insight and sensitivity to the complex factors which impact the performance of their reports.