On the surface, Saferstein's textbook is meant to survey the procedures and instrumentation which oversee the evidential chain-of-possession from crime scene to laboratory to courtroom presentation. It offers a brief archaeology of the field, the technologies of social control developing alongside the modern metropolis (that eternal hotbed of anonymous hatred and victimization), from anthropometry and dactylography all the way down to the Human Genome Project. "Forensics," derived from the Greek FORENSIS, or "debate," registers the cooperative interplay between scientific reason and the criminal justice system. Saferstein's text begins, logically enough, at the crime scene itself, and after a brief excursion on basic chemistry, biology, geology and physics, goes on to catalogue the vicissitudes of evidence-collection and processing, the laboratory procedures for organic and inorganic analysis, the various forms of microscopy available and their uses, the typing and collection of hair, fiber, fingerprints, body fluids, et al., the physiology of drug and alcohol consumption (and its legal implications), with detailed excurses on forensic serology and toxicology, firearms and ballistics, document and voice examination, the Internet, all supplemented by legalistic paradigms of prosecution, evidential value, case studies, and a fine insight into the way lawyers manipulate criminalistic legislation to their own parsimonious gain (i.e. memories of O. J. Simpson's blood).

The implications for altruistic social control are staggering. Once identitarian criminal databases (blood, fiber, DNA, fingerprint, somatotype, facial and retinal recognition, credit records, the resurrection of deleted email off the original magnetic tapes(!), et al.) are centralized and updated, it would seem that a citizen wouldn't be able to stick his gum on a public wall without the whole juggernaut of networked forensic technologies converging on the site, a public littering ticket arriving in one's mailbox that very afternoon. One could envision a subculture of decadent anti-criminologists, using Saferstein's text as a blueprint for new Underworld patents on gloves, bodywear, chemical reagents, and a whole bookshelf of counter-procedural "operations manuals" which serve to elude and obfuscate the forensic apparatus. In the teeth of such ambitious criminality, I suppose the only hope forensic science has of becoming the legalistic Archangel of altruistic Orwellianism it wants to be is if the criminal element remains, on the whole, as stupid as ever. As for the *true* decadents, the white-collar devils of capitalist exploitation, we can only shudder at the destruction their money can wreak. In the future of crime, those who have the most brilliant scientists and engineers on their payroll will be the ones who can stay strategically ahead of the system. Why, one can almost imagine organized crime syndicates recruiting disgruntled grad students right out of MIT!

But going back to the text itself, there are some annoying glitches the potential buyer should be aware of.... My criminalistics professor at Rutgers, a friend and colleague of the author, pointed out to me that Saferstein retired from the forensics field in 1991, going on to freelance his expertise to any privatized legal cabal willing to stamp a check. As a result (isolated from the laboratory as he is), some of the instrumental minutiae which characterize a cutting-edge forensics lab are absent from or misrepresented in the text. Furthermore, on the flip side, certain defunct procedures and instruments are presented as if they were still cutting-edge! Much of the photography and graphic presentations in the book also seem a tad antiquated, carry-overs from previous editions, apparently. (My own father, a specialist in immunoassay engineering, upon perusing the book's graphics estimated its copyright at late '80s, early '90s!) But these are minor trifles in an outstanding introductory text. The best thing about this book is that the price has dropped about twenty dollars since the previous edition. Wonderful news for penny-stricken undergraduates like ourselves!

As textbooks go this is without a doubt the best one that I have ever used. This book manages to explain complicated things such as DNA, and other techniques, and tests that are used during the course of an investigation in simple terms that are easy to understand. Especially if you are new to the idea of Forensic Science. Simple explanations, with colored pictures, diagrams, and case studies help show how different tests, evidence collection, and other aspects of Forensic's are used to help "catch" the bad guy. Again easy to read and understand. Well worth the purchase, you will learn a lot!

This is without any doubt, in my opinion, the best book ever
written on criminalistics. Not there are not any other great books on the subject, however this is the greatest. It is suprisingly comprehendible considering the complexity of some of the topics involved. The photographs and drawings are crystal clear.
In addition I especially like the test at the end of each section that I feel is necessary to help the reader realize his knowledge,(or lack of knowledge) of that section.

This is a splendid selection of Bierce's work,and includes The Devil's Dictionary, Tales of Soldiers and Civilians, Can Such Things Be?, and other works of importance. It does desire to be the definitive selection, however, and therefore omits some extremely interesting criticism,journalism, some proto-Dada plays and political satires. These omissions all confirm Clifton Fadiman's genteel bias, evident in his Introduction. He characterizes Bierce as merely a cynic--as though that were not a tenable position--but in fact Bierce was a satirist of the first order. A true "cynic" would not bother to satirize anything at all. By all means read the Introduction, but try to imagine, as I do, separate afterlives for Bierce and Fadiman, the ones they deserve. Bierce is having a roaring good time in Hell, while Fadiman is serving herbal teas in dull Eternity.

These are about the only ghost stories that I like to read, and I usually like to think that I am a lot smarter than that. But I am inclined to think that some people were a lot better educated in the days of Ambrose Bierce, or he wouldn't have written his poem about "poor Salmasius" in THE DEVIL'S DICTIONARY's definition of the word logomachy, a concept which is like psychoanalysis in its quest for effectiveness. What is absolutely lacking today is any evidence for the truth of the final line of that poem, "For reading Milton's wit we perish too." (p. 295) In these days, it is far more likely that the TV news and entertainment will be competing for most of the attention devoted to whoever is being more fatal.

These hard-hitting tales expose the human condition for what it is. They deserve much better than the incompetent criticism offered by Clifton Fadiman, whose preface is little more than a compilation of his own shortcomings.

In many ways, the pictures in this volume reminds me of interiors shown in books on French style. Rather than trying to create museum-perfect rooms that represent a certain period in time, this book is about combining what you love in ways that are pleasing to the eye and easy to live with. So, if you wish to have a stylish home that mixes antiques with more modern furniture and is accented with collections representative of cultures from around the world, this book is for you!

This book explains in so many useful ways how to create a home, that makes you proud of living in it. The photographs are very beautiful and well chosen, and the author explains step by step how to mix colors, patterns and not to forget how to arrange furniture and pictures in order to create a relaxed atmosphere. You will not regret buying this book, it is next to the awesome pictures really worth reading! ENJOY!!!

This is by far my favorite decorating book!! If you have antiques (or just old or quirky things you really love) this book explains how to arrange them with other furnishings in a way that is both beautiful to look at and also very livable. I'm decorating my tiny house, and have been reading a lot of decorating books. This is the ONLY book I've come across that explains HOW to decorate. It breaks down this daunting task (it seems daunting to me since I don't know where to begin) into smaller components that make sense. Each chapter explains how to work with the different elements of your home, such as Furniture, Fabrics, Lighting, but also explains the elements of each room, such as choosing Flooring and Wall Color. It also tells you how to pull together items that don't necessarily match through use of Color, Texture, Pattern, and through Proportion & Scale (yes, even I was able to understand these concepts because of the direct, yet eloquent wording of the text and great pictures that reinforced the concepts being explained). Some of the pictures had the typical 14-foot ceilings and grand spaces that I will probably never live with, but many others were of small-sized rooms that were beautifully done. Even the 14-foot-ceiling pictures had many, many ideas that I could use because these rooms were decorated by function--most contained small groupings of furniture (i.e., sitting areas, dining areas, etc.) that broke up the large spaces and made them look comfortable and inviting. I just finished reading the book, and I'm looking forward to going back and really study it again. I do feel more confident that I'll be able to create a home that is lovely and comfortable.

The author makes a diligint effort in telling baseball fans the accomplishments and lifestyle of Hack Wilson, one of baseballs most over looked Hall of Famers. The author does an excellent job tying in the roar 20's and the city of Chicago into the book. Wilson's best years were spent in Chicago at Wrigley Feild with the Cubs. All the accomplishments and downfalls of Wilson are noted. What the author does leave the reader wondering is first who exactly is this complicated yet modest man, which may be of no fault of his own. Second, the author fails to describe why the small West Virginia town of Martinsburg was so important to a man who was a star in the "Second City".

I found this to be a very well written and very interesting book. Clifton Blue Parker has done an excellent and very thorough and complete research of a rather difficult subject, and pulled off a solid read from start to finish. Clifton Parker is correct in one of his assessments late in this book...People are forgetting Hack Wilson. Here today and gone tomorrow aptly applies to the career and life of Hack Wilson. That is sad indeed. Hack Wilson was a character of the game both on and off the field. What Mr. Parker has done is preserve a life, career and very important lesson in life in his book.

Clifton Parker puts Wilson's 191 RBI's into perspective and does not candy coat it. He backs it up with reasonable assumptions and hard facts. A tragic figure is Wilson, and Mr. Parker portrays him accordingly. Interesting how some of today's so-called athletes and heros are really no different than Wilson...

I consider this a must read for anyone that loves baseball history. This is as good a read as you will find. An interesting subject and an equally interesting read.

I read a lot of baseball biographies, and one of the worst things is reading player propaganda. It seems that hero worshipping infects far too many endeavors in the baseball arena, including biogaphies. Refreshingly, this book on Hack Wilson does not hero worship. It is a serious thorough accounting evidently based on plenty of research. It covers Wilson's rise and fall, from cradle to grave, with warts and heroics, and all. Prior attempts on Wilson's life never gave an adequate accounting of his life otuside baseball. The one thing that would have helped this book is any surviving members of the Wilson clan. That's no fault of Parker, who writes in an engaging, almost poetic, manner about this fascinating character out of Baseball's Roaring 20s. I hope to read more of his work!

What a great idea! These two authors are very insightful to realize that if we provide positive affirmations to children, perhaps they won't need so much self-help as adults. My 9 year old daughter enjoys the stories of African American heros included in Gingersnaps. I also love the eye-catching cover design. A nice gift to give or receive.

What a wonderful book to share with your own children, and those of everyone you know. It is easy and fun to read, with cute illustrations. I consider "Gingersnaps" to be one stepping stone in the process of raising our kids to grow up to be confident, positive and loving adults. Ladies, thank you. I'm looking forward to your next book!

I bought the book for my daughters, and just last weekend, my nine year old daughter said: "Mommy, that book makes me feel good" She takes the book with her and I'm planning to buy another copy for my seven year old since she is still learning to read, and my oldest has claimed the book for her personal own. Thank you ladies for this book.If I could, I would get it for all these young children because they need to feel good about themselves.

This is a good book about a kid with psychic powers. I liked all the psychic stuff about it.Also the freindship part about it.This is the second book in the series. I really liked this book. It is a good adventure book for young readers.

this book is cool and sort of similar of me because i am sort of psychic also.

This book is action packed but serious. It is a good fiction story about a boy that can see in the future.

"Caleb's Choice" is a good book if you are interested in early history. In "Caleb's Choice", Caleb has to keep a secert about a fugitive slave. In 1858, Caleb is sent to live with his Grandmother in Texas. When Caleb is pulled from the water by a slave, he has to keep a secret not to tell anyone where he is. The slave asks Caleb to help free two other slaves, but can the Texas law hold him back? I would recommend this book for sixth graders studing early black history. I think this book had a slow pace but others might like it.

Caleb's Choice is a wonderful book for young readers! Anyone who likes Civil war books will love this one. Caleb wants to help slaves but doesn't want to break the law. He is torn between what he thinks is right and the law. Excellent book!

This book really gets your heart pumping. People that like history of the Civil War will really like this book. And unlike other books you won't put this one down!!!!!

I found this book was fascinating. I also found it pedantic and tiring. The author returns repeatedly to the same precepts with only minor enhancements. Nonetheless, I found value in the central idea which is that the LORD, our GOD, is unknowable. This is an idea which brings with it hope at a time when Europe was in the grips of the Black Death and the Hundred Years War. It is also an idea which Karl Barth articulated when he distinguished between a "no-god" of religious organizations as opposed to the GOD which is completely "other", whom we meet in a personal, spiritual relationship. This idea found resonance with me. I am reminded that I often become so involved with doing that I leave precious little time for being. Familiarity breeds contempt. I find that I am furthest from my LORD when I feel I know her. Contrary, the times I feel closest in my spiritual relationship is when the awe of how little I know about him is apparent. From the comprehensive notes by Clifton Wolters, I learned of the peculiar habits of this author as well as his genuine dedication. If you are interested in strengthening your spiritual relationship by introducing an "unknowable" aspect of the LORD, our GOD, into your meditation, or if you are interested in mysticism as it was practiced in Britain during that fruitful period of the 14th century, this book will be interesting to you.

I enjoyed this book because I think I am searching for some kind of mystical escape from the dreary realities of everyday life; the author of this book (unknown) certainly gives permission for that. I think it is fair to say that he totally defends this way of life; the only drawback is I am left with the age old problem that it would be great to live a life of contemplation and glorious devotion to God but who pays the bills or looks after the kids at the end of a strenuous day. This book has a lilting humour woven into the author's down to earth prose style. In comparison to Mother Julian of Norwich he is veritably a stand up comic.

A wonderful guide and disucssion of the practice of contemplation. This book deals with the ancient problem of the "unknowableness" of God by attacking it head on: We can't know God, therefore we must meditate on the Cloud of Unknowing which lies between us and God.

Incidently, I think the reason many works on contemplation don't seem applicable to daily life is that many of them were written for and by monastics. In response to the other reviewer, as Ellis Peters says one shouldn't become a contemplative merely to escape from the world without...one must be on fire for the world within.

Little Cliff does not want to go to school; he enjoys being with his great-grandparents and living with them along the Mississippi delta. He also feels he will miss his playtime activities, including climbing trees. Upset, Cliff tries to hide, but his great-grandmother discovers him and takes him to school. When Cliff sees other children his age playing baseball at school, he realizes he can have fun and learn at the same time.

Realistic dialogue and watercolors combine to form a picture of Cliff and his surroundings. Taulbert's text will require parents to read along with their children, as it is lengthy. Children, however, will identify immediately with Lewis' paintings. His use of shading and true-to-life proportions gives the illustrations a sense of purpose that children will recognize right away. While the story is good, it is ultimately Lewis' expressive and lifelike artwork that makes this book a recommendation for any library collection.

As I read Little Cliff's First Day of School I recalled my brother's first day in kindergarten when he hugged the tree outside the classroom for dear life and my mother had tears in her eyes. His kindly teacher took him by the hand and asked my mother to leave. This was the beginning of Jim's educational journey. Cliff like most children is fearful of change and what are new adventures. His supportive family consisting of older "grandparents" provided the meger items he needs for school. Finally after stalling around Cliff enters the school grounds. He is welcomed by his friends and rethinks his fears..school is work...work...work to school is a fun place after all. The setting of the South in the 50's is easily translated to present day children. Many children come from families like Cliff's and they also experience poverty. I plan to share this book as our Book of the Month for a school with 770 students in grades kindergarten through 8th grade.

Little Cliff is reluctant to go to school. He thinks that because he is starting school, he will have too many responsibilities and not be able to enjoy his childhood any longer. As the day draws near, he begins to make excuses as to why he cannot go to school. His great-grandmother decides to walk him to school and upon arrival, he sees all of his friends playing. Little Cliff finally sees that school is not bad and can actually be a place not only to have fun but also to learn.

The beautiful illustrations add a rural "down home" feel to the book. I highly recommend this book for any child about to start school or any child having "first day jitters". The book does an excellent job of not trivializing the fears and apprehensions young children have about beginning school and does a wonderful job showing that school can be a fun place.

This is a wonderful book. It is a storyteller's book: handcrafted by the teller to reflect HIS story.

I've read critical comments about the book and Taulbert himself that belittle either or both because they do not decry segregation or prejudice enough. Such commentators miss the major point. I don't see how anyone can read about young Taulbert and the injustices he suffered silently without being outraged and moved to change things. The Mississippi Delta apartheid was not a society Taulbert chose, but one in which he was raised. His story is about his life, not politics per se.

I recently heard Taulbert speak. He is as impressive in person as he is as a youngster in this book.

You will be richer for reading this book. I gave it 4-stars only because it is not intellectual on the surface and in that regard may not fulfill a certain challenge some of us expect in a book. Nonetheless, read this book. It is really a wonderful read that takes you to a past and a geographic spot not often visited.

All the kids were gone and I decided to grab a book and read. Well this is the perfect book for just relaxing and enjoying. The stories were so real that they just took me back to where he was.

Clifton Taulbert gives me hope and inspiration as writer -- his words are so carefully crafted, his view of the world is sincere and filled with an uplifting vision. His vivid description leads me to believe that even in the midst of the chaos and destruction we now inhabit, humanity may yet find a path to a better world. He is a truly inspiring writer; this is a truly inspiring book!