If you are somebody who loves astronomy, then look no further. While this isn't "the best book about astronomy ever written", it is a great book. I got this book when I was thirteen and have loved it ever since. The author tends to jump around a lot, which can be a little annoying and why I only gave it four stars instead of five. Although I liked the part about the Shoemakers, I don't see how that fits in with the purpose of the book. But aside from that, the section about the Shoemakers is really interesting and sometimes funny, like when Carolyn Shoemaker was teaching the author how to change film. The other astronomers are also very interesting, and the book helps debunk some of the myths about astronomers, such as they are all boring nerds, which some people still actually think. While I don't believe it's the "perfect" astronomy book, it makes astronomy seem much more human and relevant than you might think. The author keeps the book moving (although again, he skips around a lot), and it should be enjoyable for anybody looking for a great read.

I adore this book. Of course, I must give a disclaimer, I've always loved the subject of astronomy ever since I was very small. Unfortunately for me, I lacked the patience and the math skills to really delve into it, but books like Preston's, which are written for the layman but dare to delve a little, are a great read.

'First Light' follows two different groups of people: one working at the famed Palomar Telescope in Pasadena; the other, Carolyn and Eugene Shoemaker of the Shoemaker Comets fame. The book is rich with detail and lovingly paints a picture of the kindly, eccentric and brilliant people who inhabit that world. Especially wonderful are the analogies that help you understand how large the universe is when compared to objects around us (i.e., "Imagine the sun the size of the dot on this i. . .").

No, the writing isn't flawless, but the depth of detail and the easy flow of the narrative will keep you reading. . .

Highly recommended for all ages.

This book easily makes my "ten best books ever" list. It's the story of the scientists using the Palomar 200-inch telescope to look for the edge of the observable universe. But it's more than that. Like an involving novel (even though this is non-fiction), it's also a portrait of the engaging, human, and sometimes quirky characters involved. Finally, First Light is a stylishly written, seductive explanation of what's at stake as the science team tries to "drill wildcat holes in look-back time." Even if you hate science and care nothing for astronomy, this book will charm and delight you

This is the third book of Judith French that I have read. I am becoming quite a fan. I had previously not been a big fan of Romance, but I find Ms. French's work to be sophisticated as well as exciting. Morgan's Woman appears to be typical of her tradition of strong and assertive heroines. I felt as if I was right there with Tamsin in her quest for freedom. I was able to relate it to my own quest for independance in my life as well as finding a love when I least expected or wanted it. For any person who admires strength in their heroines, I highly recommend this book.

After her husband dies and leaves her with nothing, Tamsin MacGreggor is determined to take her two remaining thouroughbreds to California to start a horse ranch. Her plans backfire while in Colorado when her horses are stolen.

Determined to steal her horses back, Tamsin sneaks into the barn of the local horse trader and finds a dead man. Now she is running for her life, blamed for a murder she did not commit.

Ash Morgan only plans to retrieve the outlaw and collect his bounty, but Tamsin proves harder to catch than her had anticipated. After escaping from him twice, Ash is bound and determined that Tamsin not get away again.

But doubts begin to cloud Ash's judgement. Maybe Tamsin is innocent? As the two fall in love Ash battles his feels for Tamsin and his pledge to do the right thing and uphold the law.

Morgan's Woman is a fast paced romance that sometimes will keep you on the edge of your seats. (or bed in my case) Tamsin and Ash battle Indians, mountain cats, weather, and their own feelings for eachother. Highly recommended.

Morgan's Woman continues the five star standard Judith French has set for weaving romance, historical facts, "can't put the book down" plots, and strong characterization. From Ms. French's first book, Tender Fortune to the most recent, Morgan's Woman, I continue to enjoy the intelligent, charismatic heroines. Judith French never compromises the integrity of women. You'll never catch these ladies whimpering or waiting for the "prince" to rescue them from trouble. No, more likely, the villain had better duck and run for cover! Moreover, the heroines are not the media model prototypes we're bombarded with daily. The character's are intelligent,seldom predicatable, humerous, and easy to identify with. Obviously, Ms. French writes from within.

Kudos to the author...another job well done!

The book was an interesting enough read to keep in my library, but I would not consider it a legitimate argument for the Aquatic Ape Theory - nor, specifically, for the aquatically influenced evolution of the human female and the proceeding ramifications. It approaches the issue in a simplistic, unscientific manner that is not at all convincing. Keeping in mind that this book is dated (having been first published in 1972) could not save it's argument either. The Descent of Woman left just me as I was before and I'll be looking further still for writings on the subject.

I found Elaine Morgan's "The Descent of Woman" to provide some highly interesting concepts to think about, and I have no doubt that her outsider "alternative" view of evolution caused a considerable uproar in the scientific community when the book was first published in 1972.

At the core of Morgan's theory is the idea that women played an equal (or possibly superior) role in human evolution, and were NOT just submissive second-class childbearers while the "strong and brave hunter men" ("Tarzanists") were shaping the evolution of the species. In presenting her case, Morgan draws heavily on the Aquatic Ape Theory (first presented by Sir Alister Hardy in the 1920's) for explanations of how humans moved from the trees to walking upright, how they became hairless, the development of speech, and the physiological factors that make us radically different from other primates.

The book doesn't portray the male half of humanity in a very favorable light-- which, in itself, I don't really have a problem with. However, the tone of the writing sometimes crosses the line from scientific to slightly condescending and "preachy," and in doing so, the work perhaps loses a bit of credibility from a scientific standpoint-- almost as if the author couldn't quite decide between "Science" and "Feminism." Nonetheless, Morgan should be commended for questioning male-centric evolutionary theories put forth by a historically male-dominated scientific community, and readers should not lose sight of the fact that she is more of an "outsider" than a member of the "establishment."

I am not sure if the designation "Classic Study of Evolution" is deserved-- the core CONCEPTS were somewhat revolutionary at the original time of publishing, but the actual presentation tastes more of "pseudoscience" than hard science. At the end of the book, I felt that I had been presented with a very interesting (and plausible) POSSIBILITY, but without being CONVINCED that This Is How It Is. That, of course, is just my OPINION-- I am not a scientist.

Overall rating: Recommended (7 bookmarks out of a possible 10). Women readers will feel good/vindicated; open-minded men will hopefully feel somewhat enlightened. The writing style is eloquent, at times humorous, at times somewhat dry and scholarly. A well-developed is vocabulary recommended!

In 1980 I bought this book thinking it was a feminist tract but once I began to read I was entranced and thoroughly enjoyed her writing. Her "new" theory of evolution began with her reading of Morris' book and his mention of Sir Alister Hardy's idea that somewhere along the line our ancestors spent a great deal of time in an aquatic environment. I had read that information in Desmond's book but unlike Ms. Morgan, I didn't put much weight on it until I read her book. She covers every facet of evolution that no one can explain by "Man the Great Hunter" theory. Her explaination of everything from our nose (so different than the other "great apes") to our power of speech (do hunters really yell while they are stalking prey?) are covered in this book. I highly recommend this book (The Descent of Woman) even if you aren't into anthropology because Elaine Morgan is a witty and thorough writer. Her next book, "The Aquatic Ape", covers the response to "The Descent of Woman" but it's out of print.I wish they would re-issue the second book (The Aquatic Ape) because in it professionals in various disciplines (geology, biology, anthropology, etc.) found places that could have been the origination of our very aquatic species.

There's a lot of neo-noir novels out there pretending to expand the throne left them by Hammett and Cain. Most don't realize how closely they're walking in the path of their betters. Only folks like Auster and Lethem are really taking chances and showing things we haven't seen before.

That said, East of A is a good solid read. Despite one horrid, "Got milk"-one-liner, Payton Sherwood comes across an accessible, if not ambiguous crime-solver. Still the relationships Atwood manages to develop between his PI and the swirling group of characters around him builds well.

If you're a big reader always on the lookout for your next book, this is probably one to check out. If you're dipping your toe into this genre I'd go for a heavier hitter--something like Motherless Brooklyn. Otherwise we'll wait for Atwood's next book and hope its even better.

Atwood's first novel is delicious, if occasionally overripe: he allows himself too many deliberately purple passages, as well as gimmicks such as text laid out vertically to reflect a character's fall out of a window and random words spelled in dialect (i.e., "wire" for "why are"). But the patches of questionable prose will improve with age -- what Atwood already has going for him is a fabulous sense of place (you can see and smell the Village as you read) and a knack for suspense. A scene with Payton trapped in a subway tunnel as a train approaches is a fabulous nail-biter, even if it's not entirely clear to the reader just how Payton manages to survive. On the whole, a good read and an auspicious debut.

The mystery novel is probably the closest thing we have to a moral x-ray machine capable of penetrating through the shiny, slick surface of a malled-out America to illuminate the tawdry recesses of its darkest inner organs.

Russell Atwood is off to a fantastic start, seizing all of the noir conventions and making them work for a new generation. Payton Sherwood isn't a knight on a white horse. He's just a working stiff trying to get through the day with his hide intact and keep his conscience square with the house.

Noir fiction, the best at least, is a morality play pitting a flawed hero against the temptations of lust, greed, anger and revenge. The characters the hero comes across during his investigation inevitably serve as avatars of these various human frailties. Our pay-off as readers comes when the hero, despite his personal woes, does the right thing, the thing we all hope we would do in his situation, but aren't sure we would.

Atwood seems to understand this emotional dynamic implicitly. What he brings to the table is a fantastic ear for snappy dialogue and characterizations that refuse to divide cleanly into black and white absolutes.

This is a fast read and it's well worth the time and money. Russell Atwood is on his way to a great career as a mystery writer and commentator on modern mores.

The promise of this book far outweighs what it delivers. While the notion of extended interviews with all the surviving Pythons as well as the various and sundry peopleinvolved in the show/movie production is wonderful, the actual facts revealed are very much what we've heard before. Very little new information is talked about. We learn that Graham Chapman's writing participation was modest at best and that Eric and John wrote a sketch together, but that's about it. Any Python fan would have asked better questions than this fellow. Such as: How did something like the Llama sketch get from concept to filming? These are the insights we'd like to know about. Instead we get lots of repetition between Terrys Jones and Gilliam over their directing styles. Eric Idle seems not to have cared much at all about this project and his entries are sparse and a little too glib. Stick with the earlier books on Python that came out around their 20th and 25th anniversaries. At least there are more pictures.

Having read several other accounts of Python's history - "Life of Python," "The First 20 Years of Monty Python," and "Life Before and After Monty Python" - I must disagree with some of the other comments on this site. This tome DOES offer some fresh insights into the inner workings of Python. Specifically, the group dynamic - and especially the dynamic between the two writing teams of Chapman/Cleese and Jones/Palin - is discussed in greater length than in previous books. The contributions of the late Graham Chapman are especially scrutinized, as the others reveal information surpressed until after his death. Plus, several anecdotes regarding on-set occurences pop up. True, Idle's comments are a bit cheekier and less illuminating than those of his cohorts, but Idle - always considered the most cutting and acerbic Python - is probably (and quite understandably) sick to death of talking about Python when he's done so much quality solo work. Again, the main reason to read this book is to learn more about the WRITING PROCESS of Python... and it's fascinating stuff. And, the writing was always what Python was primarily about. As they've said themselves, they were essentially a writer's collective which performed their own material as a defense against other performers mucking it up. A great read!

Monty Python member Michael Palin says, "I think there's a danger in Pythons analyzing their own work. I think we shouldn't do it." Unfortunately for him, he and the other Pythons spend 315 pages doing just that, in a delightful new book titled MONTY PYTHON SPEAKS. For the uninitiated, here's a quick history. Monty Python is the collective name for a group of five Britons--Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, Michael Palin--and a transplanted American, Terry Gilliam. They are responsible for 45 of the funniest half-hours ever broadcast on television (in Britain beginning in 1969, America in 1974) and some equally inventive movies. Chapman died of cancer on the very eve of the group's twentieth anniversary--"Worst case of party-pooping I've ever seen," said Terry Jones.

For Python fanatics (I count myself among them), the new book is akin to the Holy Grail that the group sought in their infamous 1975 movie. The surviving group members and many of their associates are interviewed by David Morgan, and as befits their comedic style, the Pythons are quite open and frank about the group's highs and lows. Among the many illuminated topics and tidbits are:

* Graham Chapman's alcoholism, about which he was quite open himself. (While filming one of their movies, Michael Palin came across a half-empty bottle of gin belonging to Chapman. Palin had seen the bottle completely full earlier in the day.)

* Their first American TV appearance. It was on a 1972 "Tonight Show," where guest host Joey Bishop introduced them with the immortal line, "This is a comedy group from England. I hear they're supposed to be funny."

* Python didn't have a chance in America until a PBS station manager in Texas--"Dallas, of all places," says Cleese--took a chance on them. Friends of the station manager were afraid his station would get burned down.

* Their then-manager absconded with the funds from their 1980 appearance at the Hollywood Bowl. They made no money from the gig until they released their 1982 movie of the concert.

* When ABC-TV brutally edited three of their TV episodes for a 1975 special, the Pythons sued the network, on the grounds that they'd rather make less money than have someone else censoring their work.

The ABC incident points up two concrete truths about Python: (1) Like them or not, their particular world view is uncompromised, and their fans appreciate their honesty. (2) Said view shouldn't be left in the hands of people who just plain don't understand them. The people who would "sanitize" it are the same kind of people that Python's comedy satirizes.

But maybe I romanticize Python only because I grew up with it. I completely don't get the followings for "South Park" or THERE'S SOMETHING ABOUT MARY, but I can still recite reams of Python dialogue. For others with similar bents, the new book is must reading.

Since the start of the Industrial Revolution, thinkers have used evocative images in trying to explain just what a corporation is. Have they succeeded? Gareth Morgan presents a thoughtful, well-documented look at images that arise from our theories and metaphors about reality. He discusses how they shape the way we view the corporation as an entity and how we act. His analysis involves a mix of philosophy, history, sociology, anthropology, biology and organizational examples. He moves from industrial-age notions of the organization as a machine, to biological analogies about the organization as an organism. Other metaphors - the organization as a brain, as social reality, as the source of cultural difference and as an arena for power struggles - shape what occurs within corporations. While this book is not an easy read, it illuminates the dynamics of organizational life. We [...] recommend this book to executives, and to readers intrigued by serious societal expositions.

This is a much wellcomed edition of the popular 1st edition. There are many ways to learn/teach organizational theory. If you are a manager or are on your way to become a better and a more effective one, you must be apt to interpret whatever surrounds you in your organization. There are many possible perspectives or lenses from which you may view or analyze what is going on in your organization. Applying more than one multiplies your effectiveness as many times fold. Your organizational life will not be the same after reading this book. And this is just the begining. The same author's Imagin.i.zation expands even more your effectiveness. Other books like Bolman&Deal's Reframing organizations (second edition) serve to give you more lenses through which you may see and analyze your reality that surrounds you everyday. Harmon and Mayer's book on Organizational Theory for Public Administration gives you six more lenses if you are interested in public administration, although Morgan's and Bolman&Deal's also apply as well. My students at Pontifical Catholic University of Peru'MBA program are witness of their more than 20 times as much effectiveness they have adquired in their working lives through exposure to these and other perspectives or lenses. For ways to teach with these frames to practicing managers or other questions, you may contact me at: jlcossio@ec-red.com

This is not a "three steps to understanding organizations" type book. The people posting negative reviews for this were looking for something simple and digestable - this book is not that. However, if you take the time, you will find it profoundly alters your thinking about understanding organizations.

This book provides solid theoretical models for understanding what is occuring in organizations. I read this book over 10 years ago and STILL find it the second best and most enlightening thing I have ever read on organizations. This has dramatically aided me in being a very successful business consultant.

The foundation of this book is the notion that you cannot understand complex organizations in any meaningful way through a single perspective. People in the organizations operate on many different perspectives. Each view of the world creates its own understanding of the organizational problems, solutions and daily pattern of interaction. This book provides you the tools for understanding organizations through a number of key perspectives or metaphors, and gives you indications on how to perform a multi-perspective systems analysis.

If you spend the time with this book, you will find yourself able to understand your surroundings FAR better than your peers.

Tom Brown is a charismatic, inspiring story teller...one of the best. But if you are interested in learning these skills, you'd be much better off with McPherson's "Naked into the Wilderness" or "Bushcraft" by Mors Kochanski or Larry Dean Olsen's "Outdoor Survival Skills". For hide tanning (brain tanning) check out "Deerskins into Buckskins" by Matt Richards, tracking try "Mammal Tracking in North America" by James Halfpenny. Just about any edible plant guide will out do this book.

Tom has inspired more people's interest in wilderness living/survival, and for that he deserves kudos. His most inspirational reading is "The Tracker". Get it and it will change your life. But if you want to actually learn the skills, you're better off elsewhere.

This is an great book with tons of useful information. It will explain your priorities if a survival situation and tells you almost everything you will need to survive in any environment. The chapter on edible plants is intended as an overview and even Tom Brown himself recommends supplementing it with other books. This is the first book you'll want to get if you want to learn wilderness survival skills.

This book is one of the most in depth wilderness survival books you will find anywhere. The book give s broad spectram of of survival info. You will learn about shelters, edible plants and herbs, animal snares, and the basics of tracking and camouflage. this book holds alot of information, and no matter how many books I have on survival and tracking, I still relate back to it often.

I had to read this book for book club, and I'm disgusted. There's a big difference between a "spiritual" book and one that's just boring, poorly written and preachy. I hated the last half of this book so much, I had to force myself to trudge through it. If you want a spiritually inspirational book, read "The Alchemist," by Paulo Coelho. It makes you think, instead of groan.

What a great book!

If you want to learn about an ancient view on life and the world we live in get this book. It has taught me a great appreciation for the aborigines, the real world around us and about the potential inside of every person.

If you like to learn new things and read stories about great adventures get this book.

Marlo Morgan's second volume is captivating by its sheer, simple beauty right from the first page. I thought her first book was entertaining,educational and haunting. I enjoyed this one even more; it is quite different, though the lessons similar. I am happy to note that the "civilised" world is finally coming around to those ancient truths. I found the scene of the twin's birth absolutely breathtaking and glorious - what a way to begin a book! Throughout the book it seems clear that the two are destined to meet again and I almost dreaded the "cliche ending" I felt was bound to come. I was wrong. I could not have imagined a better and less expected ending. Brilliant! BRAVO! I plan to read this book again some day and have just obtained the first book so I may re-read it. Whether you read this as fiction (as some claim) or truth (as most believe) - it matters not. The spiritual messages are clear, true, universal, sound, loving and beautiful. Is that not what matters most?

Marabel Morgan assumes that a marriage can be "turned around" with the effort of only one person-this is false. No relationship relies of the efforts of just one person-two people must be actively involved. The fact that Mrs. Morgan portrays this book as Christian is false as well. Since when did Jesus ever tell a person to reduce themselves to mere sex kittens (not to mention lying to your husband about his sex appeal!). Mrs. Morgan reduces men to helpless, pathetic victims who should be manipulted. I wasn't aware that manipulation and lying are Christian virtues. Mrs. Morgan needs to give a little more credit to both genders and more importantly to the institution of marriage itself.

Marabel Morgan's advice was like a breath of fresh air. Feeling completely suffocated by a new marriage, a new baby, and no living mother to draw advice from, I needed to hear the message of this book. It doesn't advise women to be doormats. In fact, one of the most impowering section of the book spoke of being as organized as a multi-million dollar company. Stay-at-home moms and wives have tremendous responsibilties that often our society ignores. Accountant, housekeeper, cook, childcare worker, errand runner...a complete balancing act. And yes, your husband does want to come home to a loving wife and a sexy partner. Okay, you don't have to be a greeting Playboy bunny at the door and the Bible does not promote breast augmentation, but the idea of pleasing your mate is a privilage. Because you're organized and stay at home during the day to take care of business there, your family will have time in the evening to bond. Skip the idea of manipulating. Mrs. Morgan doesn't teach that. She simply shares that you will reap benefits naturally because you're more pleasant to live with. Read the book. I loved its basic principles.

I read this book some 18 years ago and it was very refreshing being a newly married mother with small children. I had purchased extra copies to share with other women in my church. And also gave my only copy away I have been looking to purchase other copies to share with a woman ministry. This is a basic guide for How to Do examples you take what you can used and put the others to the side. And watch when you treat your husband with respect and honor how blessed your marriage and relationship will be with him. After all he is the king of his castle and you are the queen. Your marriage and home should be in order and the proper authority should be honored and respected.