Talk about how (as a character suggests in the movie "Hurricane") "sometimes a book chooses you"... Was it quirky intuition or some funky higher power that moved me when, as I was about to leave the library, a sudden urge made me turn around and, overlooking all the other fictions on the shelves, with unknown purpose shuffle aside the books in a bin until my hand lit on this one. Had never heard of the author or the book (although the title was appealing), but something inside of me whispered "Read this!"

Whatever the spell, subconscious or spooky, I'm glad I did. This was a book that started out good and only got better; read it practically overnight. In the end, it was Arthur Flowers' vibrant storytelling, so warm and alive with understanding of human frailty and fullness of spirit--like a downhome, latter-day incarnation of the oldtime poet who said, "I am human, therefore nothing human is alien to me"--that spoke to me, made me smile and ache and glow.

"I am hoodoo, I am griot, I am a man of power," he trumpets at the opening in a verbal fanfare, a narrative device echoing and acknowledging ancient oral tradition; there is power in the word and magic in the story. "My story is a true story, my words are true words, my lie is a true lie--a fine old delta tale about a mad blues piano player and a Arkansas conjure woman on a hoodoo mission.... Plan to show you how they found the good thing. True love. That once-in-a-lifetime love.... because when you find true love my friend its strictly do or die."

Set in the Mississippi River delta country in and around Memphis, Tennessee, at the dawn of the Jazz Age, ANOTHER GOOD LOVING BLUES tracks the sweet & sour course of the relationship between bluesman Luke Bodeen--peacock proud, stylish and sure--and alluring, stiff-necked hoodoo woman Melvira Dupree, who's haunted by her past and future. Yet other rivers run through it: memories of arcane gods and religious rites variously practiced by descendants of African slaves throughout the Americas; the trickle, then stream, of Southern blacks fleeing impoverished indenture in the fields for the promise of Northern urban opportunity post-World War I. Race-conscious workingclass intellectuals gather with college-trained professionals to debate Garvey vs. Dubois, the church vs. traditional African religion. The periodic floods of "The Great Muddy," the mighty Mississippi itself, become legend in song and story.

It's territory that Zora Neale Hurston (who makes a "guest appearance," as does W. C. Handy) plumbed and celebrated, and more recently Ishmael Reed: the nexus of history and folklore, literal and visceral, sanctified and streetwise.

But, aah, the core of the story, that man-woman thing! Heart of the blues. "You don't know what love is until you know the meaning of the blues," goes the famous song. Flowers, a veteran bluesman himself, is especially deft, and searingly compassionate, showing "how to go down like a natural man" after Luke breaks off with Melvira:

"Lucas Bodeen let the music say all the things he wanted to say to her. O baby, I love you so. I don't understand why or nothing, I just love you. Lucas Bodeen played his heart out, another man hurting cause my baby's gone and o the loving sure was good blues.

"O God baby, how could you really leave me?

"Tears.

"...After awhile the music start getting good to him, and ol Bodeen, he forgot all about how bad he felt. Got into the music, made that piano stand up and do tricks. No matter how much trouble you got in mind, the blues tend to remind you that the sun is going to shine in your back door someday. For all the pain it cost him, he had to say he was glad she had come into his life. Don't do for a man to live and die without having known at least one great love in his life. He would have hated to have died without having ever felt like she made him feel."

Flowers, besides his talent, experience and skill, obviously has considerable affection for all his characters; all the people of this book live and breathe. What's more, he tells a plethora of stories and all of them involve you. And his triumphant narrative voice is the finest, most lyrical and comprehensible use of Southern black vernacular I've ever read. I love this book: It's a work of enormous heart, healing and redemption. Told plain and simple, touching and to the point. ("Literature and hoodoo," says one character, "both are tools for shaping the soul." "Spiritwork," says another. "Sacred literature... Rootwork.") Let this nexus of love, blues and hoodoo work its magic on you.

I read this book a couple of years ago... It was not a book I normally would have read, but I picked it up and was quickly drawn into it. The voice of the narrator is very powerful and persuasive, convincing you that the characters are real--the emotions behind each of the words certainly are! The story is very believable. It seems simple, but it is more. You can actually hear someone telling you this story and it almost doesn't feel as if you're reading. In the end, you definitely feel a deep appreciation towards the writer and his gift.

Need something to cozy up to and sweep you away on a mighty good time? Get this book. The writing is lush, beautiful, yet concise. It's a good read. Thank you Mr. Flowers! And keep on writing. I, for one, want more.

I first became acquainted with Kalman filters in 1979 when I was required to write software to track targets on a Navy weapons testing range. We used passive hydrophones together with active pingers on the targets, with the ping sequence identifying each target. We received arrival times for each ping, and had to sort them out and solve the intersecting hyperbolic surfaces of rotation to determine the target's position. Since pings had a significant time interval seperating them, we used Kalman filters to interpolate and extrapolate the target's position. I read Kalman's original 1960 paper on the subject, and several other papers, but I knew of no textbook coverage of the subject.

In the mid-1980's I was in graduate school. There I became aware of Gelb's wonderful book. I wished I had had it 6 years earlier!

A neighbor is an econometric quantitative analyst, and he uses Kalman filters for managing hedge funds.

Now I am involved in modelling glucose and insulin levels in diabetics and Kalman filters look like the technique of choice once again. Out with Gelb's book for a quick review. It seems to be timeless in its value because of the excellent treatment of the subject.

I bought this book over 15 years ago and I still refer to it, and got a second copy when my book fell apart. It's very broad in coverage of all filtering and is a thin paperback with lots of easily understood concepts. A keeper.

I received the first copy of the book from my employers when I took a short-course in Kalman Filters to augment my systems knowledge for performing inertial navigation analysis work for missile engineering at TRW in Redondo Beach, CA. That was 20 years or so ago. I can say I have yet to see another book that can match or surpass this one in simplicity in explanations, background materials (linear algebra, linear differential equations, state variable theory - control systems aspect, and random processes), cover many varied areas of applications and nonlinear problems, present the practical discrete-time equations alongside the more theoretically based continuous-time equations and demonstrate their uses and meaning, and discuss practical implemetation issues, schematically depict difficult ideas, equations and concepts through well organized and coherent diagrams and tables, and design manageable and solvable problems as exercises for learning at the end of each chapter, all of these done in a small inexpensive paperback. The book, unlike most others I have read or browsed, does not in any way assume a priori knowledge or basic understanding of Kalman Filters or what they are all about, and presents enough fundamental materials written clearly and lucidly so that any motivated student or worker new to the field can pick up almost everything he or she needs for learning. Though the book is not quite not a theoretical landmark for the mathematically inclined (and makes no bones about it), yet it has enough derivations to make it rigorous in its presentation of the mathematics underlying Kalman Filtering. Perhaps the computer oriented students and professionals will be disappointed because the book predates Matlab, but it did well in the days when analytical software was often custom designed, tailored and developed for engineering and scientific applications. A brief summary - very readable and approachable, unpretentious writing style, a great learning guide for the uninitiated as well as the systems engineering practitioner.

As a long-time admirer of both Arthur C. Clarke the man and his fact and fiction, I've been looking for a good biography for quite a long time, and am glad to say I've finally found one. Neil McAleer has done an excellent job, and obviously put a lot of time into research and interviews. This book was compiled from several interviews with Clarke himself as well as with many of his friends, family members, editors, publishers, fellow writers, colleagues, and the like. One is greatful to get such a great glimpse into the lives of science fiction's most famous author, as well as one of the 20th century's most famous visionaries. Truly a remarkable man, Clarke has had an almost unbelievably productive, meaningful, and memorable life. Here we learn about his upbringing and exploits living on a farm in England in his childhood, and through his experiences in school and budding interest in science and science fiction. We then learn of Clarke's going on to join the Civil Service and eventually the Royal Airforce (where he helped with the radar "talk down" system), and through his college years. We are able to see the development of his writing years, and his active and vital role in the British Interplanetary Society. All of Clarke's major novels and several of his short stories are gone into in detail, and oftentimes we learn of his motivation for writing them, and also something of his writing method. One of the most important and revealing aspects of the book for Clarke fans are the long behind-the-scenes look we get at the making of 2001: A Space Odyssey. We learn of the working relationship between Clarke and Kubrick, and also get a glimpse into the super hush-hush activities that took place on the set. This book covers his career up to the release of his novel The Ghost From The Grand Banks, and a little beyond. It also touches mightily upon his non-fiction writing, as well as his many other and less celebrated exploits - lecturing, popularizing of communications, diplomatic interests, and the like. We learn a lot about Clarke's vital role in the establishment of communications satellites. This is quite simply an essential book for Clarke fans, with much knowledge held within it to put across and share. The only real drawback to it is that it does only go up to 1992, and thereby misses out on some important events in Clarke's career (the release of further books, including his final novel, 3001, his collected stories and essays, his knighthood, the unfortunate (and falsely alledged) accusations of pedophilia against him, and the actual coming of the year 2001, just to name a few.) Still, this is by far the most comprehensive and thorough book about Arthur C. Clarke available. Obvioiusly, as with any biography, it's not a book you'll want to dive into unless you are already familar with the author and his works. If you are, though, then this is an essential volume to add to your collection.

In this novel, Arthur C. Clarke's entire life story is told. Also, actual interviews with Clarke and his family members are used. A fascinating bit of information is that Clarke co-anchored the moon landing in 1969 with Cronkite. This is a great book for any fan of Arthur C. Clarke.

Arthur C. Clarke had been one of my favorite writers since the early 1970's. The first book of his that I read was 2001: A Space Odyssey. I was hooked on Mr. Clarke and science fiction forever. This biography of Mr. Clarke is a pleasure to read. The most satisfying thing about the book is that Mr. Clarke in real life is very much the man you picture while reading both his fiction and non-fiction. The three most interesting aspects of the book was his early work with the British Interplanetary Society, his life in Sri Lanka, and his work on the movie 2001.

An extraordinary achievement by an extraordinary American writer. In its way, as accomplished as The Little Big Man and Reinhart in Love, which are perhaps this author's greatest works. As different as those two are different from each other. A writer of scope and variance.

Nevertheless, Arthur Rex, while sticking to the traditional Arthurian material about 90%, manages to put just enough twist and spin on the stories to make them Berger's own. It is funny, satiric, bitter, realisitic, and even romantic. Berger manages to make it a peculiarly modern story. Everyone seems to feel trapped in roles they don't want to, or aren't suited to, play but feel that they must. At the end, before leaving for Armaggedon and his fate, Arthur meets with Guinnivere one last time, a meeting that earns its special poignancy from the cumulative effect of what has gone before. The heartfelt ending is hardearned. Guinnivere is bitter, and angry even, feels that she has been used, by Arthur, Lancelot, yes, but mostly by nature and God. Arthur realizes that she would probably been a better king than he. It is Arthur's response to Guinnivere and to his predicament which gives his tragedy its special feel. I don't know of a better telling of the Arthur story. However, be aware that Berger assumes mastery and ownership of the story through an act of adverse possession as audacious and complete as, say, Ezra Pound's in his translation of the Chinese poetry. This is not just a translation; it is a focused re-interpretation.

Berger's body of work is second to none in American Literature. Big statement, I know. Even his minor novels are original in perspective and sensibility. He deserves to be rescued with all haste and speed from the obscurity that seems about to be unfairly thrust upon him. It is a shame that his books are all going out of print. Read this book, The Little Big Man, the Reinhart saga (the masterpiece here is Reinhart in Love), Sneaky People, and Killing Time for starters. You will not regret it.

I have ever read, and I have read it several times. As with all good Arthurian legends, this book is heroic and poignant. What sets it apart and makes it a great book is that it also manages to be satirically funny. The humor is not at the expense of the nobility of the characters, so Arthur Rex manages to be seemingly contradictory things in one package. I have given this book many times as a gift, and all said they loved it.

Out of print? What a shame.

After reading all the novels I can find on the Arthur saga, this is the only one I re-read again and again.

[...]. It is a good book for kids because it helps kids read. It is funny. Arthur gets a new puppy because his mother said he could. Arthur had to give five dollars for the puppy. Arthur was happy to have a puppy. He had been watching a puppy that gave birth to a litter of new puppies and Author got to keep one. I think everyone would enjoy this story, especially if you like puppies!
The end

While children love reading fantastic stories of dragons oraliens or dinosaurs, that doesn't mean they don't also enjoy readingbooks featuring kids just like them.

Or, in the case of the popular Arthur books, aardvarks just like them. Arthur's New Puppy is the eighteenth book in the best-selling series. It follows the misadventures of the lovable aardvark as he attempts to housebreak his bouncy puppy Pal.

Children seem to identify with Arthur as he struggles with everyday problems with the help of his loving parents (and no help from his pesky little sister, D.W.) and friends.

If you have an Arthur fan in the house, or if you have a new puppy in the house, you'll want to check out this book.

The books are excellent , the story line and the cartoon show .I find myself watching the show as much as he, together we laugh and I remember those day of my youth...

A large book filled to the brim with words to learn. The layout is enjoyable to look at, with a large 2-page spread scene surrounded on the border with smaller related images - all labelled. The scenes show Arthur and his family at school, at the grocery store, at work, at play, reading, during the seasons, at the mall, at Grandpa Dave's farm, when Arthur grows up, etc. My 2 year old loves Arthur and loves looking at this book. There are so many words! Such a helpful, educational, and entertaining book.

My one year old LOVES this book. I'm sure it's ideal for older children just learning to read, but she really enjoys pointing to things and having me name them for her. Every object and animal you can think of is pictured in the book. There is not really a story, but each page has a "theme" and related pictures and words. We love it! And she is constantly learning new words as a result.

This book holds the attention of my 1 1/2 yr old for a half hour or more! Do I really need to say any more? She loves to point to the pictures and have me read the names. The best thing about the book is that I expect to use it for a few years. As she grows, the book has more to offer - ABC's, 123's, puzzles and plenty to spark the imagination.

Christopher Bruce's encyclopaedic work is a magnificent compendium of all of the major 6th to 19th century Arthurian sources.

As a publisher of books and games based on the original Arthurian sources, I have turned to this book not as my 'Bible', but as a sort of 'Bible Concordance'. Which stories can I find Percival (or his many alternative names) occurring in?

I found this book to be worth ten, if not a hundred times its cover price in terms of compiling years of research into a single treasury of Arthurian knowledge.

I was amazed to discover how young this first time author is. He has produced a profoundly complete and thoroughly researched scholarly work that is a "must read" for any student of the Aurthurian Legends. Mr. Bruce has researched even the most obscure references and stories of Arthur and the other characters associated with the legend. Thank you for your excellent work.

Mr. Bruce has certainly done a wonderful job compiling volumes of information into one comprehensive work. It would be difficult to find a more complete reference. A must-have guide for any Arthurian-lover's library, as well as an interesting book for any reader to peruse.

Beyond good, this book is important. A book from the voices of parents who have lesbian and/or gay children. We have "heard" plenty from lesbians and gays, pleading for understanding and acceptance, so this book gives the readers a voice from "the other" side.

With frank interviews and conversations, we are let in on the angst, the suffering, the fears and disappointments from parents. It covers many aspects of our lives. Most often, the burning question from parents is "what did I do wrong?" Religion, health, acceptance etc....all the way to "should the neighbours know?

This book is honestly written from the hearts of the writers, parents who have been through all of that and more. We learn of how they cope or didn't. The journeys they have taken and what the effects are with a lesbian/gay in the family unit. A must read, not just for parents, but also for lesbians and gays, and their siblings. And for everyone else too - I recommend this book. It creates understanding, not answers, through the conversations with various people. In all, it is almost like sitting in a crowd and listening in on an interesting discussion or conversation and gleaning knowledge and understanding!!

There is an earlier editon from 1990. Try to get the lastest one, I think 1996/7, with updates on issues like AIDS etc...

Buy or borrow this book, read it again and again. Pass it on. For everyone.

I told my parents I'm gay this past weekend. It went much better than expected. Friends said that there were books on the market that could help. I checked out Amazon's selection and found _Beyond Acceptance: Parents of Lesbians and Gays Talk About Their Experiences_ to be the extremely helpful in the coming-out-to-your-parents experience. The book was, for me, accurate in "predicting" my parents' reactions, down to the questions they would ask, the emotions they would go through, etc. It was touching, and inspiring as it brings you from the initial coming out event all the way through to parents who have taken action in their communities against homophobia. The book doesn't pretend that all parents will change so drastically, but it shows what's possible.

Note: While the book draws from the experiences of predominantly caucasian, middle-class families, the parents were from all across the country and from various religious backgrounds, i.e. Jewish, Christian, Catholic, agnostic, etc.

The book covers an amazing array of subjects including: Issues regarding your partner and the difficulties and triumphs in bringing partners into the family, the grandparents and extended family, the church, the sense of loss experienced by parents when their expectations for their gay child changes, the paradox of the general acceptance of married heterosexuals who don't have children versus gay committed, monogamous relationships, the fact gays can lead happy and full lives, gays in the military, about whether gayness is caused by nature or nurture or both, about whether being gay is a mental illness, about the removal of homosexuality from the APA's list of mental illnesses, about the failure of all forms of "treatment," and the list goes on . . .

I also enjoyed and drew wisdom from the Bernstein book, _Straight Parents, Gay Children: Inspiring Families to Live Honestly and With Greater Understanding_, but found _Beyond Acceptance_ to be better organized.

This book is written as a resource for parents. I bought and read it before coming out to my parents. Insightful and careful writing to help you understand what your parents might feel when you tell them. Then give them a copy when you have the big discussion. The authors use loads of real-life examples from many different people and situations to help parents understand and relate.

Well, now that a hopefully working vaccine for chicken pox has been developed, this story is still great for teaching one about being careful what he or she wishes for.
The circus is in town-everybody's excited to go, but when Arthur is sick with chicken pox, D.W. comes home from play group to find Arthur lying on the couch so wishes she was sick so pretends to think Arthur is just pretending to be sick. And as the story continues, D.W. shows how she wishes she was the sick one-and in the end, Arthur is better, but D.W. gets the chicken pox.
This will be a great book to teach about being careful what you wish for even when chicken pox no longer exists.

My kids thought this book was very funny. I did too, but not solely for the reasons they did. Chicken pox that only lasts a week? Come on! But the main problem this created in my home was that when my kids came down with chicken pox, they pulled this book out. Uh-oh! They wanted crazy straws, and a back rub, and every other special treatment that Arthur received. But it was reassuring for them to see that chicken pox is very common, and even Arthur survived. At least I got them to try the oatmeal bath!

I found this book to be very humorous and fun to read. I loved watching Arthur receiving special treatment for being sick and D.W. pretending that she also had chicken pox. This book is also great because many young children can identify with Arthur and D.W. . As a future teacher, this book is a must for any book collection.

I bought this book for my son who made his first Communion. It is an excellent book. All the best stories of the Bible are in this book. The kids are actually intrested in it! How better to learn about Jesus and the Old Testament than reading this book. We love it and I am thinking about buying it for my religious Education class for a Christmas gift.

I looked at several children's bibles before picking up this one, and I have been very happy with this purchase. All the major Bible stories are here, and the author has broken them down into manageable bits for children to read and understand. The stories are told in an entertaining, can't-put-the-story-down manner, yet never fail to teach the lesson intended.

This is a fabulous book to read to your children, for them to read to themselves, or for adults to read when they want a quick review of everything biblical. Definitely deserving of five stars.

If you buy this book,you will turn a bad boy into a good boy.It's the same way with girls.The book taught me to be a wonderful Christian!