This book is a real find, a gem, and its a pity that its gone out of print. The author's treatment of functional dependency and lossy joins is unmatched. You will not find a better treatment in Fleming and Van Halle, you won't find a better treatment in Celko and you won't a better treatment in Date (they all touch on it in their discussions of normalization and Armstrong's rules, but none of them make it talk like Jackson)! As far as practicality is concerned, it is the epitome of utility. You cannot beat it with two sticks.
Not knowing whether the author is still available to update it, the only limitation (or amusing feature) is in its references to the implementations (lets be honest, file based systems) available at the time, 1988, so its about as retro as you can get, (except possibly for Gio Wiederhold's informative and much more complete exposition Database Systems, about 1978?...testament to the fact that the more things change...) Given the quality of some of the database systems extant in SQL Server and Oracle, or some of the schemata I've seen supporting CRM or object orientation, its absolutely eloquent ...If you don't know what you're doing, the best tools in the world will not help you. If only those database practitioners had read this first! A must have.

The best book I've ever read about the Entity-Relationship Model. If you need learn about Entity-Relationship Model it's the book you must to buy.

Hilarious and silly. A perfectly ironic retelling of "Paradise Lost."

The book tells the story of an archbishop's guardian angel who starts reading the bishop's books on Theology and becomes an atheist. The angel moves to Paris, meets a woman, has his wings fall off & takes up the harp to make a living, since he can't handle harmony. Then he meets the Devil. This is a very funny book, by the world's greatest ironist. A wonderful read for those who smile at people who pray on TV while squinting. Elegant prose even in English, better in French; a quintessential skeptic at his best.

Sure, you don't know me. But believe me when I say that this is one of the best books I have ever read as an aspiring songwriter. Leap covers every insecurity, every angle, and every bit of advice you've already heard - and gives a fresh, realistic spin on it. It's hard to tie together both words that point out what an overwhelming task it is to make it in the music business - AND words that make you want to try your hand at it anyway. He does that. I found this book by checking it out from my library, and ended up paying monstrous fines until I could buy it. I didn't want to give it back!!! This book is simply a goldmine; the only thing I've read that has ever hit me as hard is "The Artist's Way" by Julia Cameron. "Rhyme & Reason" is worth a read; and by the way, you may want an extra copy for down the road a few years when every page is dog-eared. Fifteen stars.

You expect a man who has scored top ten songs in the world of country music to be great with words, but this book shows an amazing versatility and window to the world that few Nashville songwriters have. This collection of stories showcase Leap's rural upbringing and Christian background. The stoies are uplifting and from the heart. The accompanying CD is a collection of original inspirational songs performed by the writer. From start to finish this book and music are top notch in featuring powerful writing and the best Music City has to offer in musicianship. It was a book I could not put down and one I will read many times. The CD is part of my 'often listened to' collection.

If you can find a copy of this book, I recommend it highly as perfect for young readers. The stories and poems are very short and to the point so a child won't be overwhelmed by a huge plot or excess of words. This was one of my first books and one from which my mom taught me to read at 3 years of age. I hope to do the same with my daughter.

When I was a little girl my mom would read this book to my sister & I every nite. We always looked forwarded to having a story read from the book. I am 26 now and I treasure the book very much, even with out the cover intact! My sister is pregnant and I would like to order the book for her so her child can enjoy what we did. Please make the book available soon!!! Thank You.

This compilation of David Jackson Logan's writings detailing his experiences during the Civil War is second to none! You won't be able to put this outstanding book down until you've finished it. The authors have melded all sources into an unforgettable book.

This book does an outstanding job of following David Jackson Logan's life during the Civil War, through letters to his wife and family, letters to the newspaper, and his diary. I am fortunate to have already known what an outstanding man David Jackson Logan was, as well as, his father, John Randolph Logan, and his siblings. Especially David's brother Ben F. Logan, my great-great grandfather. I hope everyone enjoys reading this incredible book.

Dr. Jackson has put together a great all-around volume on four of the major rivers in Alabama. The Alabma River system played a major role in the settlement and development of the territory and the state. This is a highly readable volume that should be in the library of those interested in Alabama history and culture. Perhaps the best volume on Alabama that I have read.

In time, this book will serve as a major secondary source for Alabama historians, students of history and researchers. Much like "The Federal Road...", which this writer has previously reviewed, "Rivers Of History" is a scholarly and comprehensive work pertaining to the impact of one of the fundamental elements evident in the progression of Alabama history. From the earliest days of the Mississippi Territory, to the present day, Alabama's rivers have served as both the bloodlines and guide posts of the state - representing demarcation of counties, providing the venue by which Alabama's 19th Century cotton economy could thrive, enriching vast areas of agricultural lands with literally hundreds of tributaries of varying sizes, and allowing for Alabama's intricate network of hydro-electric power generating plants. Dr. Jackson focuses on the Coosa, Tallapoosa, Cahaba and Alabama rivers, as these four bodies have been central to the aforementioned attributes of Alabama's waterways. In political, geographic and economic consequences, these four rivers constitute the very heart of the evolution of Alabama. Dr. Jackson's narrative is greatly enhanced by his natural ability to present an academic subject in an inviting, readable form. Citing the fact that "too often historians write with other historians in mind", he establishes an instant rapport with the pedestrian reader, without compromising the scholarship of the book, a fact evidenced by the book's numerous annotations. Yet, while the annotations attest to the depth of his research, Dr. Jackson's natural ability as a writer separates this book from that vast yearly output by other, less talented academicians who rely upon footnotes as a crutch upon which recitation rests as a surrogate for originality. As this reviewer consistently states, Alabama history is best studied by subject. A concentrated study of Alabama's major rivers has been sorely missing, and Dr. Jackson's "Rivers Of History" solidly fills that void. This reviewer highly recommends the book and hopes to see more offerings from Dr. Harvey Jackson.

I really didn't think that I would give this 5 stars when I initially learned about it. I figured it would be another really simple little book from someone else in the industry saying "Here's how I do things and I'm great"...

I love being wrong.

I've never read any of Robin's other works. I've been GMing RPGs for a long time (it doesn't really matter how long), but I've been out of the "main-stream" games for years. I found his analysis very accurate, his experiences coincided with my own, and his thoughts and suggestions made a lot of sense.

The fundamental premise of Robin's Laws is that players can be categorized into a specific group, making it easier to understand what they enjoy in a game, what game you should play with that group, what the campaign and adventure should be like, how they should be structured, etc. He goes into a great deal of detail on how to accomplish this, while avoiding being preaching or arrogant in the process. He has even come up with a way to quantify some of these determinations, which really impressed me.

To be honest, I think that it is very difficult to make the determination of a player's type, in many situations. Possible, yes, but very difficult. His observations of what you can do with this information are very intriguing and inciteful, however, and well worth a look.

I highly recommend this to anyone who ever has or ever will GM an RPG. It has a great deal of useful information and ideas.

...

I've been GMing for 20+ years and I still found this book to be very useful. It starts by first analyzing the different types of players and what they want out of a game. I was able to easily fit my players into the different categories and change the focus of my adventures to try to please them. He also talks about various structures for adventures and what to do when the players get stuck. There's also some advise about improvising that's pretty useful.

Robin Laws (the author) also writes a column on playing for Dragon Magazine that's frequently helpful. He also designed The Dying Earth roleplaying game, which is pretty cool, and a bunch of other games I haven't played and so can't comment on.

the best divination tool I've ever used. I spent many years looking for something I could use comfortably and this is it, now and forever. It is a pitty that this set is now out of print but Witches Runes : Insights from the Old European Magickal Traditions is about the same. Beautiful full color cards and a complete guide on learning to use the runes. An exilent buy.

As a professional Psychic, I use the runes as a tool, for focus. The use of runes are becoming more and more wide spread. After laying dormant for many generations in the western cultures, the runes were rediscovered and have become an icon in the metaphysical pop culture of today.

When I do readings for my clients, I use the rune stones and/or the rune cards. What ever befits the situation the best.

With proper rune interpretations and using them along with my psychic gifts, I do all of my work in what is called, "The White Light," and not of the dark side.

I have helped many persons with guidance and perspective. The runes are just a tool of focus.

This book is well written and displays much of the folk lore and useages and interpretations, from an age long forgotten.

It is uncanny, how these things can still be valid and fit into modern mans' life. A strong spiritual connection, wheether it is in mans earthly religion, the metaphysical world, or the spiritual world is still the basis for all of the happenings and circumstances in the world.

The art of rune casting and rune use, is clearly spelled out in this book. I would recommend it for beginners as well as advanced practioners. It never hurts to be able to put yourselves back to basics once in a while, so you can co a self exam and make sure that you are still on the right track or on the track you want to be on.

The Rune Oracle is comprehensive and so complete, and is done in such a fashion that you can instantly start using your runes.

I wouldn't delay using them, they'll have an instant impact on your life and your spiritual being.

If I can be of fuether assistance, I would be happy to answer questions or explain the Rune Oracles methods and practices further to you.

A couple of years ago I was blessed by being given one of the best, if not the best job in the world. "Brand Ambassador" for one of the finest and best known Scotch Whisky Brands. After an all too brief trip to Scotland, I have dedicated most of my free time to reading everything about Scotland and her Whiskies that I can get my hands on.
Mr. Jackson's wonderfully poetic description of the land that now owns my heart has served to make a return trip much more than a wish.
I so loved this book that I made a gift of it to the library of Cardhu Distillery.
Thank you Mr. Jackson for making Scotland come alive to Whisky lovers everywhere.
Slainte bha
Charles Swett

Like a love letter to Scotland and to Scotch. The famous authority on Whiskey, Scotch, etc. writes a wonderful, flowing style, there is an easy index to famous Single Malts & Distilleries in the back, and the pictures literally make you want to got there: I sent this book as a present to 2 friends, as well as buying a copy for myself, and we are now all planning a trip to Scotland together, with this book, inspired by this book.

This is similar to my original review... During a Year's worth of Gang Banging in Colorado Springs, Colorado in our Westree Apartments ( 1997 ),I found myself remembering eye exercises taught to me during grade school. These eye exercises Permitted me to keep controll over my own eyesight while under "unusuall" straign. These eye exercises Allowed me to see anything I wanted to in our Public Libraries where I learned to read when I was Two Years Old. I still have every Library card from the entire front range - including Universities and Colleges...After about two years, my eyesight is better, with my left eye going from 20-200 ( from 1975 ) to now 20-180. I will not sya that this Is The One Book Meant For You...but the rest of the topic under Vision Exercises will show you even others! I intend to dump my eyeglasses in two to three years. Of course, even the FBI likes Gargoyels...or Ray Bans...I hate UV rays as I'm out standing and walking around for my health.

These were the same techniques taught me in elementary school to relieve straign and fatigue brought on by reading texts and using a CRT. The bibliography is provacative, especially "The Bates Method For Better Eyesight Without Glasses" by William Bates, M.D.