Jack Maple's book on fighting crime has voice. As I read it, I could hear Mr. Maple tell the story. The story he tells is one of how New York City reduced crime in the 1990s. The reason is Jack Maple. Maple describes in several well-told anecdotes his experiences as a transit cop and later deputy commissioner of the force. He describes stupid crooks and brilliant ones. He describes good cops and bad cops. He describes good police policy and bad police policy. He makes it all entertaining. He doesn't give Mayor Gulliani credit for the reduction in crime, he slyly gives it to himself. He also describes his later experiences in New Orleans and how the same principles applied to reduce crime there as well. What does he do? He mostly introduced common sense things with a lot of communication and a lot of follow-up. Like any good story, it is in the telling.

Engaging stories from Maple's career as a detective for
the NY Transit Police, deputy commissioner of NYPD, and
consultant to Newark, Philadelphia, and New Orleans police
departments make this a very interesting read. The fact
that the problems and solutions discussed are relevant to
other cities - not just NYC - broadens the appeal of this
book. While some of the principles will apply to smaller
police jurisdictions, the context of all examples is with
large cities.

The subtitle "How You Can Make Your Community Crime-Free"
is a bit misleading, as this book is really about how the
police can make your community crime-free. Deploying
resources based analysis of crime tracking, holding
commanders accountable for reducing crime in their
districts, auditing against falsifying crime reports
to artificially improve statistics, having "cold case
squads" take over unsolved cases, interrogation strategy,
rooting out bad cops, and respect for citizens are
among the many topics covered.

I chose to read this book because the author, Jack Maple,
was an interesting character in the book Turnaround by
William Bratton; Bratton shook up several underperforming
police departments including the NYPD and Maple was key
player on his "dream team."

Jack Maple's book is both informative and fun reading. with his professional experience as a valuable resource, Maple's book is full of examples of how to lower crime and boost police/community morale. this book explains how to simplify the complicated and bureaucratic approach that many police departments take.maple's book raises many management theories that are important for any successful organization to be familiar with. (i.e. micromanaging vs. macromanaging in " The One Minute Manager", to a degree,and the breaking ball plus theory, a relative of the broken windows theory and other common sense theories) Maple also expounds on the need for managers to be leaders and not coaches and how leaders must allow for innovation in the lower ranks while letting subordinates know their bosses are familiar with their plight. Maple asserts that settling for less can become a cancer on any organization. for example, Maple argues that 10% of cops do 90% of the crime fighting. The Crime Fighter is an educational " page turner". To read it is to enjoy it.

Everybody refers to this as the best general book on genetic algorithms written to date. It's definitely a great place to start if you know nothing, as I did. It covers background, history, and motivation; it selects important, informative examples of applications and discusses the use of genetic algorithms in scientific models; and it gives a good account of the status of the theory of genetic algorithms. Best of all, the book presents its material in clear, straightforward, felicitous prose. Some of the exercises seem to demand a lot more of the reader than the text actually explains, but I found this a very informative book. After reading this book, I set up a fairly well-received site.

This book is ideal for someone totally new to the field of GAs. Mitchell begins with the fundamental concepts of the simple GA and proceeds to survey a wide variety of applications. I especially enjoyed the coverage of topics related to machine intelligence, which are sometimes left out in books that focus solely on optimization. The book contains enough information for someone with programming experience to code their own GA (including suggested computer exercises), although no source code is presented. However, the background gained from reading Mitchell's book will enable an easier read of more technical books (which may include source code implementations).

This is a great place to start to learn about genetic algorithms. The writing is clear and not bogged down by jargon. The book is not overly technical; it is written for the layman and has a casual conversational style that is a pleasure to read.

About half of the book is devoted to presenting examples of studies that have used genetic algorithms. These examples are interesting in themselves and also serve to illustrate the variety of genetic approaches that are available. The book also presents conflicting points of view of experts about which algorithms work best and why. This is helpful in combatting the impression that a beginner sometimes gets that everything is simple and all the answers are known.

Black, white, whatever - if you're bored by your job and have ever dreamed of doing what you really want - this book is for you. The stories of these selfmade millionaires is pure inspiration. Even if you don't plan on starting your own business any time soon, this book is about living life to the fullest on your own terms. If you want a great read and a kick in the pants, The New Color of Success will give you both. What are you waiting for?

Niki Butler Mitchell reveals how a diverse, dynamic group of go-getters has crafted a new color and definition of success and she does it in a way that will inspire everyone who reads the book to reach for their dreams. Full of examples, advice and wisdom, THE NEW COLOR OF SUCCESS is a must-read for all young Black people and anyone who wants to appreciate African American vision, brilliance and determination.

A unique business book describing the successes of young African-American entrepreneurs with poignant reflections on the costs, rewards and responsibilities of being successful. This book lays outs the blueprint of twenty select black millionaires who had the tenacity and business savvy to compete in arenas where the majority competition never expected to have deal with black businesspeople as equals. Niki Mitchell has a written a provocative, illuminating and motivation book that espouses more than wealth and individual success but character in the true sense of American business.

If you read this at the right time of life no other book will ever be more important to you. I read it when I was 19 and for me that was the right age. Rilke's Notebooks contain what amounts to the crisis of modern existence. For Rilke the solution was writing some of the best poetry ever written. If you want proof read it. For Malte it was not so clear yet and his struggles will be very familiar to any student of the arts. As a time piece this also has much value. It records the change over from the old Europe to the new. For Malte, as it was for many of Mann's, Musil's, Broch's... characters, this proves devastating. Identity threatening. The second half of this book is not as good as the first half but I'll take that first half and disregard the rest. Read this while reading Rilke's greatest contribution to our world, his poetry.

This is the only novel written by Rilke. It is a difficult text, often vaguely referencing obscure Medieval history. It has endnotes to help you through it though. It is entirely worth the effort to read this book (too many books don't make you try these days) because it is unlike anything I have ever read. Rilke places you in the mind of Malte, an unusual, beautiful and intensely profound universe. This novel is, I believe, an epic poem under the guise of a journal, and it's one of the best poems written.

I recently had occasion to replace my worn-out (tattered) copy of The Notebooks of MLB and when my new copy arrived I started reading it. It is a remarkable work in every way, sometimes seeming simple and straightforward, sometimes so arcane it's almost impossible to figure out what Rilke is trying to say. I love this book. I have learned so much about myself by looking into the mirror Rilke holds up -- a mirror he himself faced, and in response to which he wrote The Notebooks. He invites us into his universe, and it is so rich and abundant we always learn new things about ourselves as we read. This is a book to savor, to live with, to read often. Take it in small doses if it seems too arcane. Reflect on it, and the meaning will come to you. And if it doesn't, let it go and come back to it at some future time. I first read it 25 years ago and I'm still discovering new things in it. The layers of meaning can be overwhelming. But for sheer beauty of image and incisive insights into the self, this book can't be beat.

*Spirit Sickness* is the only book I would recommend to someone who said to me, "I've read all the Leaphorn/Chee books; now what? Isn't there anything else like them?" In this genre that combines mystery fiction with American Indian themes, Thomas Perry, with his superior writing skills and (sadly, now retired) Seneca heroine, Jane Whitefield, and Kirk Mitchell, with his rural western settings and duo of American Indian cops, are the top contenders for Hillerman's crown when the master decides to retire. (And yes, I know about Doss, the Thurlos, Stablenow, etc. Different league.)

*Spirit Sickness* is a PG-13 Hillerman novel with a touch of Ellroy/Harris nastiness spicing things up. The crimes are more graphic than anything Hillerman would subject us to, and there is a bit of graphic sex as well. The villain is a violent psychopath--a type that only appears, and briefly, in one of the Chee/Leaphorn books. But the action is fast and furious, the conflict and attraction between the two cops exciting and engaging, and overall this is a solid, satisfying read.

For a complete discussion of the "Indian mystery" genre, check my web site.

I read 'Ancient Ones' and the prequels, 'Spirit Sickness' and 'Cry Dance' in one week-end, that is how un-put-down-able I consider these books. The last book kept me up well into the night.

To comment on the much debated comparisons to Tony Hillerman: I am a great fan of the Leaphorn/Chee series, but personally, I am finding I prefer Mitchell to Hillerman at this point. I find Mitchell's books faster paced and more complex, therefore more gripping. With Hillerman, it got too easy to guess who the bad guy was. It was always (or almost always) the white one.

With regard to the relationship between Parker and Tunipseed, I think it ads a great deal to the story and in no way detracts from the plot. This level of character development is rare in these types of books, and I find it a refreshing change. It makes them real, flaws and all, as opposed to being two-dimensional cookie-cutter crimefighters. Strangely, no one seems to have a problem when Hillerman's main characters are involved in relationships. I wonder if it is the child abuse angle that is making people uncomfortable here. In any case, I am looking forward to seeing how Emmett and Anna's relationship evolves in the fourth book (I hope the author has plans for a fourth book in this series, if not more!).

Murder, mayhem, and secrets in and around the Dine (Navajo) Reservation. A prior review compares this unfavorably with Tony Hillerman's books. I disagree. I tried to read a Tony Hillerman book once & just could not get into it. On the other hand, "Spirit Sickness" is my first Kirk Mitchell book, but it won't be my last! He has interesting characters in a credible, action-packed thriller.

Mitch Grobeson has drawn upon his experiences as a police officer to develop what I consider to be two skillfully intertwined stories--one involving crimes against street hustlers in Hollywood and the other involving crimes against a police officer by his fellow officers in the LAPD. The author has done an excellent job developing the characters--from the highly decorated police officer, who is himself the victim of harassment and discrimination, to the street hustlers who become the targets of vicious murderers. Grobeson successfully keeps the story moving at a good pace, even while conveying alot of information. He effectively adapts his writing to the specific scene he is describing, from his vivid descriptions of intense torture scenes to the thought-provoking epilogue which compares the environments in Los Angeles and San Francisco. And the photo of the bare chested Grobeson on the front cover is an added bonus for the reader!

I hope Grobeson will continue writing--he provides a unique perspective into the workings of the police department and the gay community.

A friend told me to read this book, that I wouldn't be sorry. He raved so much about it, I gave in. Wow, what a good one! Nice mix of just the right amount of sex and violence plus lots of good writing and exposure of illegal police practices. It comes with authority, too, because the writer according to the publisher's biography is a policeman in the LAPD and he has been featured on TV shows "60 Minutes" and "Phil Donahue." The revelations in this book make sense in light of the Ramparts scandal, the Rodney King beating, the Daryl Gates kingdom, and other documented wrongdoings against minorities. (The author of this book is gay and was harrassed by LAPD because of it.) Great reading. I suggest it to anyone who can handle a stiff dose of reality.

I had the privilege of meeting Sgt. 'Mitch' (Mitchell Grobeson) at a book signing in Royal Oak, Michigan. After a very friendly and informative conversation with him, I purchased the book, which I read that evening. "Outside The Badge" deals principally with a L.A. police officer and his experiences relating to the manner in which gay officers are treated within the L.A. police department. It brings forcefully to the reader how gays are treated (even tortured, humiliated, raped, set-up, and often murdered) without the slightest interest or concern on the part of the press, and more importantly, the police. Sgt. 'Mitch' formally a police sergeant in the Los Angeles Police Department has written an absolutely fascinating and at times frightening story about gay tragedy. The story centers between events within the police department and vicious crimes being perpetrated against a number of 'suspected' male hustlers. "Outside The Badge" is definitely highly recommended reading and should be included in the libraries of important gay and law enforcement literature.

In this book, Mitchell builds a mystery-thriller on a real incident, the discovery of an ancient skeleton in the Pacific Northwest whose features suggest that Caucasians may have peopled North America before migrants from Asia. The two government agents drawn into this case are Native Americans involved with each other in a complex and difficult relationship. The author shows off his knowledge of anthropology and Northwest Indian tribes, making mysticism part of the story. Things move along smartly for the first eighty per cent of the book, with additional violence, several suspects, and lots of misdirection. Unfortunately, the concluding chapters seem overdone (how many anthropologists live in mansions with Bat Caves beneath them?) Don't be misled by the jacket blurb comparing this to Tony Hillerman's work. Mitchell's work is more hard-edged, violent, and sometimes gruesome. The conclusion is politically correct but lacks the moral weight of Hillerman's best work.

This was my first Kirk Mitchell book but it will not be my last. The author seems to have a vast knowledge of native American culture, and is a true artist at weaving a thrilling and suspensful story! The combination makes for a great read. I guess this is a series, but you don't have to worry about starting out of order, at least it did not bother me. If you like this type of book you might check out "A Tourist in the Yucatan" a good thriller that involves the ancient Mayans.

Once again Kirk Mitchell hits the jackpot with Anna and Emmet uncovering the mysteries behind the Ancient One. Mitchell's style is quickly moving and exciting. His vast knowledge of the Native American ways of life holds ones interest and ties the story into a nice, neat bundle. His experience as a law enforcement officer brings credibility to his stories and always rings true in form and procedure. What's next? Even though this story has moved from the Great Southwest it is well done, but I need to go back to the desert and mesas of Arizona and New Mexico.

This was my first "fetish" book, and I really enjoyed it. The photos were nicely done and the book gave a good sample of different photographers work in the field. I have a good collection of tattoo and body modification books including all of Charles Gatewood's books(I was a little disapointed this book only included 2 of his photos). IF your looking for something a bit more extreme, pick up one of Gatewoods books. I would recommend this book for anyone new to fetish photography because it gives a sample of many different photographers work and it is very tastefully done.

This book is an excellent introduction and sampling of the genre of fetish photography. Some of the top names in the field have their work included, such as Steve Diet Goedde, (the late) Gunther Blum, Jo Hammar, Nik Marchant, Doris Kloster, and Eric Kroll.

You will be hard pressed to find a better collection of fetish photography from such a wide cross section of photographers. This is certainly the Best of the Best.

This was a really nice effort on Stacey Luftig's part. Joni has been the object of fascination and scorn for several decades, it's nice to have a compendium of sorts where the full picture emerges of a Canadian farm girl transformed into a folk singer, rock star, jazz dilletante, all the while maintaining her artistic integrity. She has left such an indeligible mark on the history of popular music. One major slam, though: it's incredible to think in a book with this much obvious research that Rickie Lee Jones would be confused (in the photograph with Bonnie Raitt) for Joni Mitchell. For shame...

What a read! Luftig has culled together the absolute best of Joni-journalism. Even diehard fans will learn something new from the riveting biographical pieces. Music lovers will appreciate the astute discussions of her guitar technique, composition and lyrics.

Any Joni Mitchell fan will want this book (far, far superior to Brian Hinton's travesty of a few years back). Even those unfamiliar with Mitchell's work will appreciate this profile of a modern creative genius.

Reviewing this book is going to be as difficult as writing about Joni's music, because there are not enough superlatives in the language to say what needs to be said without redundency. This is an essential book, necessary reading for any fan or student of Joni Mitchell. Stacey Luftig has put together an extraordinary collection of reviews, articles, columns, interviews, pictures, and emotions that refect the vast ouevre of Joni Mitchell's work, from the first artist days in 1966 to the 3 July 1999 tribute in Joni at Central Park. The range of this book is incredibly vast. The casual music observer will be introduced to this most gifted artist. The dedicated fan will discover information and concepts that astound, even after thirty-plus years of loving and following Joni. Each album and the various phases of Joni's life and musical development are covered, with true insights continually offered in an accessable manner. Musicians seeking technical information on how to play like Joni will find their rewards, too. This companion book consists of well-selected pieces from the fullness of Joni's career to date, in an attractive, readable, and helpful format, with a thorougness and professionalism that makes this a serious study of things Joni. This is not a wild-eyed fan's tribute; it is a contribution to the literature on music and the study of this most complex and influential artist... and it is loving and fun... it has a great beat, and you dance to it! The contents of this book may have been available, scattered and uncollected, prior to this book's publication; to have this array of material in one place, accessable, is truly a companionable idea. This reader is in awe of what Luftig has accomplished in this major addition to our knowledge and appreciation of the gift and music of Joni Mitchell.

Having read numerous books on eastern philosopy, I was only mildly interested in yet another. However, Stephen Mitchell was appearing at a book-signing at the Harvard Coop Bookstore, and I simply could not pass it up. Accompanied by my daughter, we went, purchased the book and listened to Mr. Mitchell read portions from it. What a find! I have read Meetings with the Archangel twice and will read it again, I'm sure. Watching the development of the narrator as he progresses through several stages of spiritual enlightment was fascinating. The challenge, of course, is to launch yourself on such a mission. The story is entirely entertaining and one not to be put down once started. I suspect there is a great deal of Mr. Mitchell in this book, and it is especially wonderful to have a memory of his own voice reading selections from this excellent work of fiction. Well worth your time. Enjoy.

Even before I finsihed with this book, i found myself going back and re-reading sections. The author has the most amazing talant with words that I believe I've read to date. While the book can be a little slow, it is definately a must read for anyone with an appreciaiton for fine writing. It is funny, moving, and more than worth the time I've spent re-reading and highlighting my favorite passages. I tend to loan out books after I've read them and sometimes don't get them back. This book hasn't left my room for fear that I'll never see it again. I plan to tell any would-be borrowers that it's worth their money to buy their own copy.

I knew I had to re-read this book even before I was halfway through the first reading. I found myself stopping to breathe between fantastically worded passages, only to dive in for more. The subtitle, A Comedy of the Spirit, best describes the book's unique voice. Meetings With the Archangel is the fictional autobiography of an author who pursues a meandering but intense path of spiritual training, from Hasidic Judaism to Zen training, with studies of numerous other writings on enlightenment and angels. The Archangel Gabriel visits him to reflect the author's own state of growth, as well as to amaze him with images of the heavens almost beyond comprehension. All this is done with unabashed passion and self-depricating humor. Even if you have little interest in angels, you will find a lot to chew on (and laugh about) from Gabriel's conversations. The character's exploration of the meaning of evil is also riveting and thought provoking. Stephen Mitchell balances mysterious thought-morsels with a light-hearted commentary that makes the consideration of spiritual journeys like playing frisbee with your soul. It is a goofy but rewarding challenge to catch what's being thrown at you.