Related Vacation Book Subjects: Virginia
More Pages: James Page 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100
Books to read if you're planning a vacation in "James", sorted by average review score:

Nortel Networks: A Beginner's Guide
Published in Digital by McGraw-Hill ()
Authors: Jim Edwards, James Edwards, and Matt Jensen
Average review score:

Great for beginners
As a new manager working with Nortel products, I have found this book quite useful. It is not necessary for me to be able to configure a router. I do need to have a general understanding of the technology and the products. This book has accomplished both of these requirements for me. I would recommend this book to any person looking to gain a clearer understanding of networking in general. Although it does cover Nortel products, it covers the technology in general, so this book would be valuable regardless of whose product is being used.

A must have for any library
I received my copy of this book less than a week ago, and I am very impressed with the way the book was presented. I work in a "Cisco shop", but this book has offered insight to some of the wonderful offerings that Nortel has. I have read some of the other beginners guides out there, and can honestly say that this book is the easiest to understand and to follow. There are many boring books out there, this is NOT one of them. I read it cover to cover and will do so again. I highly recommend this book for all networking professionals. A must have!

Outstanding basic building blocks to Nortel Networks.
Certainly one of the better beginners' guides out there. I was able to read most of it in one sitting. Found that the read was easy and less "mind numbing" than most computer/networking documents. I would recommend this guide to anyone that wants to get into networking, switches, & routers. Maybe you're just interested in understanding the fundamentals of Nortel networking or LAN/Wan technologies.... Get this book!


Not Going Home Alone: A Marine's Story
Published in Mass Market Paperback by Ballantine Books (07 August, 2001)
Author: James J. Kirschke
Average review score:

A Vietnam memoir that details the work of war
Pedestrian writing can ruin any subject, even the ready-made drama of war. Vietnam memoirs are no exception. But such is not the case in James Kirschke's account of fighting in some of the bloodiest zones of the war in 1966-67. With a colorful, engaging style that does not shy from personal revelation, Kirschke weaves a compelling narrative made genuine by its generosity of spirit and plausible by its even hand. Kirschke's experience as both an English professor and a writer gives him an advantage over the competition, true. But potent material like this still needs adept storytelling, and in Kirschke, a retired Marine captain, it finds a capable craftsman. Casual and passionate reader alike will be touched as Kirschke relates the critical and formative aspects of his service: training and bonding with his mortar platoon at Camp Pendleton, exhausting daily combat in the area just south of the DMZ -- commanding first his mortar platoon and then a rifle platoon -- and his final battle of the war, the injury that left him near death for many months. The reader will also appreciate that Kirschke has steered clear of the kind of cynical self-confession and cloying apologia that too often mars Vietnam memoirs. Not Going Home Alone is about the work of war and the love and sorrow encountered along the way.

INSPIRING READ
Lt. James J. Kirschke demonstrated outstanding leadership skills stateside and in Vietnam. He loved his men, and they loved him. As an 81 mortars platoon commander, Kirschke drove his men to become the best of their kind in the USMC. The men he trained developed not only incredible proficiency and stamina, but also a deeply seated sense of pride in serving their country and the Corps. After Kirschke transfered to the 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, he became the CO of a rifle platoon. At this juncture in the narrative, the action and tension in this finely written book heats up and never cools down. Kirschke was not a hell-raiser or macho warrior hyped up on testosterone. He was simply an excellent human being on whom God had generously bestowed such rich gifts as those of leadership ability, compassion, and sense of duty. It is incredible that Kirschke teaches literature in one of today's foremost universities, given the anti-white male and looney leftist fringe that rides herd over modern academia. When I put this book down, I thought of Kirschke the way Mark Antony thought of Brutus at the end of Shakespeare's Julius Caesar: "His life was gentle, and the elements so mixed in him that nature might stand up and say to all the world, this was a man." Thanks, Jim, for your unselfish service and for writing this book.

How it must have been
Not Going Home Alone is the best example I have seen yet of the growing genre of Vietnam combat memoirs. Retired Marine Captain James J. Kirschke takes us through his tour in Vietnam with the 3d and 2nd Battalions, 5th Marines, sadly cut short by his grievous wounding in the An Hoa Valley. Kirschke goes beyond combat descriptions (although he provides plenty) and presents all the things that a platoon commander in combat has to think about and do. For anyone considering becoming a Marine or Army officer, especially as a grunt, this is a fine introduction to what one should be able to do. The book is very well-written; Kirschke does a great job bringing the Marines he served with alive for us, as well as conveying what Vietnam in the bush was like. Kirschke also provides a useful reminder that the Vietnam War and Vietnam veterans are not as portrayed by Oliver Stone and his ilk. With this book, Kirschke has given his comrades who died in Vietnam and since a wonderful memorial.
Not Going Home Alone has a special resonance for me; like Kirschke I was a grunt lieutenant in the 3d Battalion, 5th Marines, although in more peaceful times (1981 through 1983). I cannot vouch personally for his Vietnam descriptions, but his descriptions of Camp Pendleton, Okinawa and the Philippines brought back a lot of memories. This is an outstanding book; here's hoping it finds a huge audience.
P.S. to Hollywood: Not Going Home Alone would make a great movie, if you don't mess with it.


On the Edge of Nowhere
Published in Paperback by Pr N Amer (June, 1992)
Author: James Huntington
Average review score:

GREAT Story!!
I am a storyteller in Fort Worth Texas and found this book absolutely facinating. Wonderfully and simply written in the voice of Jim Huntington. I used the story recently at a Library that was focusing on Alaska of Jim's brush with the wolves and the kids loved it. I noticed in the other reviews that a relative of Mr. Huntington had left a review of the book, Martha S. Barker. I would love to talk to Mr.s Barker about Jim. If she would contact me at storymantales@hotmail.com I would be honored. It's an adventure from beginning to end and a wondrful personal story, Worth the time.

Great reading
Jim is my uncle and unfortunately he passed away a several years ago; I didn't know him as well as I would have liked but heard much about him from my mother. Sidney, Jimmy's brother; wrote "Shadows on the Koyukuk" an Alaskan Native's Life along the River by Sidney Huntington as told to Jim Rearden (you'll note he also did Jimmy's book as well); Alaska Northwest Books. another 5 star book and not just because they are relatives; you'll find this when you read them yourself.

On The Edge of Nowhere
This is one of the best books I've ever read. It is one that you will want to read over and over and you will never feel as though you have read it before. Full of real life adventure in the native bush. Wonderfully written.


The Pilgrim's Italy: A Travel Guide to the Saints
Published in Paperback by Inner Travel Books (December, 2002)
Authors: James Heater and Colleen Heater
Average review score:

informative and interesting
I highly recommend The Pilgrim's Italy for those to whom travel is an inner as well as an outer adventure, and sustenance for the soul as well as the palate. It complements other guidebooks by providing informative tips for pilgrims that are not readily available in one place - shrine hours, for instance, places to meditate, useful Italian phrases and nearby places of interest. It also pulls one in with fascinating glimpses into the lives of some of the rare individuals who have achieved sainthood, and opens one up to the possibility of the miraculous.

Wonderful Book
I found this book to be very informative and inspiring. I recommend it to anybody who is planning travel to Italy. The combination of maps, specific shrine information (hours, phone numbers, even websites), and the authors' engaging writing style makes this excellent book truly unique among travel guides.

Enhanced with a wealth of information
Collaboratively compiled and written by James and Colleen Heater, The Pilgrim's Italy: A Travel Guide To The Saints is a travel guide geared toward those Christians who want to follow the paths of Christian saints, seek out Christian shrines, and learn more about the lives of these notable and pious men and women while traveling in Italy. Enhanced with a wealth of information, maps, descriptions, and accessibility of holy sites, The Pilgrim's Italy is a first-rate guide to spiritually enriching travel and an invaluable aid in finding lodging in monasteries along the way.


Outlanders #13 Shadow Scourge
Published in Audio Cassette by Dh Audio (January, 1901)
Author: James Axler
Average review score:

Deviltry and derring-do
"Shadow Scourge" may be one of the strangest stories in the series so far and maybe that's why I liked it so much. With its references to a couple of old Deathlands adventures and echoes of Lovecraft, its fast-moving, VERY action-packed and filled with deviltry and derring-do. Our heroes face a villain of the likes they never encountered before and probably pray they never do again. The way the swamp muties were featured made them some of the most repellant creatures ever to appear in either Outlanders and Deathlands--and so of course I hope they show up again. So far the track record of this series is 100 percent. There are some novels I liked better than others but I haven't come across a bad one yet.

Surprisingly scary
I don't usually read horror stories because they never scare me. I didn't expect to find a horror story in an Outlanders novel...and I didn't expect to have it "creep" me out. Shadow Scourge has a lot of action in it, a lot of violence but the supernatural overtones made it a winner for me. Outlanders is usually high adventure and action with sci-fi overtones, so this book came as a nice surprise.

Shadow Scourge: Facts or fiction
Shadow Scourge may be looked as another sci-fi doomsday book when examined. But what Outlanders is is totally the opposite. The author uses history and future all in one: The book takes place in the future yet they encounter things thousands of years old.

I cannot describe the total uniqueness in these novels. While most future books are man books straight sci-fi, this isnt. If you look at a catagory this book is in in the store its catagory is Western/Men's Adventure. Yet this book had fantasy, humor, facts, sociology, history, romance, friendship, drama and BRILLIANT storyline. Everything is in these books that anyone could want to read about. Therefore it isn't western or men's adventure.

In this particular book, the group journey to South America where they encounter the descendents of the Mayan Empire that headed south after their descendants were murdered by Hernan Cortes. Their culture is still the same after 700 years. These characters which take place 200 years into the future expierience things not seen in 500 years. Anyone into history would enjoy this book.

Also, In other comments you hear about vampires and this and that. Im not a fan for vampires but they play a small part in it. Anyone that likes horror would like this.

Anyone into romance, friendships, tension, aliens. you name it, its in this book as well as all the Outlanders Series.

The author is very intelligent and thats no lie.


The People Could Fly
Published in Audio Cassette by Random House (Audio) (September, 1988)
Authors: Virginia Hamilton, James Earl Jones, Leo Dillon, and Diane Dillon
Average review score:

Excellent! Especially when read aloud.
I read this to my daughter, Rachel, and she really enjoyed it. She smiled throughout the entire book. She loved the animal folktales about Bruh Rabbit, and Bruh Fox. She trembled with delight at the reading of the scary tales. As for her mother, my favorite was the title tale, The People Could Fly. It was magical!

This book is a must have!!
I read this book as a child. The lessons that I learned from it have lasted well into my young adult, I am now 23 years old. The illustrations are first rate. This book should be a literary standard for all children books. Anyone with a child needs to have this in their children's personal library.

A Must-have for every American home
Fascinating folktales from an African-American perspective, this work evokes memories of the strength of a people to find magic, wonder, and spirituality in a time when oppression was the norm. Miss Hamilton, along with illustrators Leo and Diane Dillon, has produced a work of timeless importance. One of the few books that I can't keep on the shelves of my classroom, it is an essential for every teacher or person interested in exposing children to a wealth of literature.


Pisces Guide to Watching Fishes/Understanding Coral Reef Fish Behavior
Published in Paperback by Pisces Books (April, 1992)
Authors: Roberta Wilson and James Q. Wilson
Average review score:

Interested in tropical marine fishes?
This book is outstanding on so many levels... It has a basic intro to coral reef biology and to the fishes. It then goes on to discus the various aspect of fish life. Eating, breeding, various interactions are all covered. Look for the parts on schooling and social life of coral reef fishes. etc... The authors manage to bring a large body of scientific reference material together and make it accessible to anyone interested in coral reef fishes.

If you are a diver or snorkeler then you will enjoy this wealth of information that will go along way to describe the intricate behaviors in this most complicated of habitats. If you are a reef aquarium hobbyist the you will learn why fish act the way they do. If you are a professional then you will appreciate the way that this book brings in the journal literature. There are 19 pages of bibliography, and although it might be a bit dated many of the articles are classics.

Going Beyond Identification
After I'd dived and snorkeled in the same spot more than a few times, I found myself wondering: what are those fish doing? Why are there such huge differences in what I see at 7AM from what I see at 5PM? Are those fish mating or fighting? While this book only begins to answer those questions--I'd love to see a newer edition with research since the early 90's--it does tell the careful observer what to look for, which adds greatly to the experience of diving and snorkeling. A caveat, however: if you don't already know the major fish families (such as parrotfish, surgeonfish, wrasses, butterflyfish, and so on), you'll find the book somewhat incomprehensible. I'd label this book as Step 2 in becoming a knowledgeable observer, with Step 1 as learning the fish families. (And for that, I'd get a regional guide for wherever you dive--the fish families are the same world-wide, although the species are not.) Note: while I criticize this book for being (slightly) out of date, that doesn't make the information useless--far from it.

A fascinating book about reef fish behavior for the layman.
We run charter yachts and take our guests snorkeling on reefs daily. I borrowed this book over 10 years ago, and still remember how incredibly interesting it was, not only for our own understanding of the ecosystem we enjoy so much, but also for the great information it gives us to share with our guests who are eager to learn about the beautiful reefs and the colorful fish they see. As another reviewer said, we can now go beyond just naming the fish we see and provide a broader explanation of their characteristics and behaviour. I'm thrilled to see the book back in print.


The Planets
Published in Hardcover by Yale Univ Pr (September, 1999)
Authors: David McNab and James Younger
Average review score:

Amazing Pictures
My child adores everything about space... so I ordered this book for him... he loves it... some of the pictures are just incredible. Text quality is good but it could be better.

Other worlds (and this one, too...)
The Planets, by David McNab and James Younger, is a stunning and interesting companion book to the BBC/A&E series of the same name. The eight chapters of the book correspond to the eight episodes of the series, and are all interesting, accessible, chatty, thought-provoking, and well illustrated, with the best of the most recent photography from telescopes and space probes.

Different Worlds
Beginning with a discussion of planet hunters at the Lowell Observatory in the early part of this century (searching for Planet X, which turned out to be Pluto), the chapter introduces 'the family', all the planets of our solar system, the asteroids, comets, other local phenomena, and has a brief discussion of origin and formation issues (nebulae, supernovae, planetary evolution).

Moon
As our nearest neighbour in space, the Moon has pride of place in mythology, space exploration, and in this presentation of extra-terrestrial worlds. It is amazing--the Earth is the only inner, rocky planet to have a substantial moon; this chapter discusses the space race and politics as well as science in earnest terms. The discussion of the astronauts a la The Right Stuff is always an interesting read. What is the future of the moon and humankind? Some speculation is here, with renewed interest, as the possibility of ice at the poles gives new life to lunar settlement ideas.

Terra Firma
Looking at the worlds with hard surfaces (Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars), the chapter on Terra Firma shows the diversity of worlds that occupy the space so close to us. Each has been explored numerous times by probes; Venus has for the first time in human history revealed more than a glorious morning/evening star light, as probes and sensors have finally been able to break through the cloud cover. Mars, of course, has always held a fascination for us, particularly after the 'discovery' of 'canals' on the surface; renewed interest in Mars has been propelling NASA efforts. Included in this chapter is a brief description of some of the moons of the outer planets (Europa, Triton) which would, if not tied to a gaseous giant planet, qualify as planets on their own.

Giants
Within the past few years, humankind has finally reached all of the major planets, all of the planets known to antiquity, and all but Pluto. Even with the most powerful of telescopes, these planets never appeared as much more than blobs, save for Saturn, with her enigmatic rings (which have turned out to be far more intricate than ever before imagined or believed possible). The probes to the outer worlds showed that all have rings of some sort; all have more moons than previously known (and than are probably still known). There are worlds to explore still in our own back yard, even as we search for planets around other stars.

Stars
Beginning, obviously, with our own sun, as the guiding physical force behind almost all in the solar system, the sun has variously been regarded as a god and a demon. Yet, for all its power and prominence, the idea that it, and not the Earth, was the centre of the universe was able to cause a stir (largely theological and philosophical) that would dominate learned and popular discourse for some time. Ironically, while the Church worked to silence Galileo and Copernicus who would suggest that the sun was centre stage, they applauded when Fr. Secchi, director of the Vatican Observatory 200 years later, announced the discovery that the sun was in fact a star, like other stars, and that not even the sun was at the centre of the universe. Solar flares, storms, composition and power are all discussed.

Atmospheres
Atmospheres are thin veneers that coat some planets. These are barely worth mentioning in planetary composition terms, but, without it, no life would exist, and worlds would be very different places. The issue of atmosphere is important from the standpoint of life and space exploration. Atmosphere makes it interesting, or boring. Of course, the gaseous giants have more than their fair share of atmosphere, which again makes a difference in exploration terms. Storms are frequent on giant Jupiter, and can last for generations. Not only planets have atmosphere: Titan, a moon of Saturn reminiscent of Venus with unbroken cloud cover, is perhaps the most enigmatic and interesting world in the solar system today, with a predominantly nitrogen atmosphere (hey! like earth!) and organic chemistry (hey! like earth!)--what's going on here? In 2004 we may have a glimpse, as the ESA probe Huygens reaches the moon, and dives in, snapping pictures all the way down.

Life
Are we alone? Is there life on Mars, or indeed, are we Martians? Is there life on the moons of the giants? How does life arise? Well, this book discusses, if not definitively answers, these questions. Discussing observations and probes, experiments and speculations, the idea of life in the solar system (in smaller forms, alas, no green men here) is fully developed. Looking to harsh areas on earth which nonetheless have life forms thriving, the idea that these same inhospitable earth-based climes are no different from the better areas of other worlds takes hold. Just what is life, anyway?

Beyond the Sun
And what else is out there? Other worlds in other systems? When Voyager turned its camera around to take a snapshot of the 'family', Mars and Pluto were too faint to show up, and Earth, as a pale blue dot lacking detail, was in the midst of a 6-metre long photograph. Out among the stars, there are stellar incubators (nebulae) which grow both stars and planets; the way stars die is also presented.

An extra plus for Yale Press for keeping British spelling and punctuation conventions throughout the text.

the whole planets
colorful book of the planets.. nice material to read and to review... fun and unique


The Planned Destruction of America
Published in Paperback by Longwood Communications (January, 1994)
Author: James Wardner
Average review score:

Right on Target !
Here you go! If you crave the enticing secrecy of the New World Order and all its entanglements - - - let the pages flow. For here Mr. Wardner gives excellent back-up material, historical facts, and a terrific chapter on a coming `media blackout' which I found superbly accurate.

This is a MUST READ for those who are still perplexed as to the simplicity & redundantcy of our current media broadcasting industry.

America = = READ THIS BOOK !
No other book that I have read comes even close to this straight forward book ! It is a MUST READ FOR EVERY TRUE AMERICAN ! It will shock you, educate you, and wake you up fast ! I have read it several times, and it's a book that will never get out of date ! It took a lot of guts to write this book ! I'm so thankful that this author had so much courage. We all should ! IF you really want your eyes opened, read this little book ! This is not a child's book, so I don't know why it's listed as such.

The Best Introduction on Global Government - New World Order
This book is easy to read, full of quotations, and it is well documented. Everything he writes about is backed up. The book's best point is the documentation. I thought the author could have commented more on the documentation and how this effects us. The book is about 70% documentation and 30% comments. It is a good book for those who know little on the subject. I also liked the list at the end of the book that lists sources of information to keep you up to date on the New World Order. A book I recommend for those who want a more in depth view is Hope of the Wicked by Ted Flynn. It's 490 pages and was published this year.


Plateau Light
Published in Hardcover by Graphic Arts Center Publishing Co. (October, 1998)
Authors: David Muench and James Lawrence
Average review score:

A beautiful book with slight flaws
This is a gorgeous book of southwest photographs. It has many examples of how to take great photographs. An interesting feature is the photographers comments about each photograph, found in the back of the book. There are only a few flaws in my humble view. Some of the photographs were printed with very exagerated color saturation. This is painful in some cases. Another problem is Mr. Muench's use of a split density magenta filter for several of the photographs. He tries to give the scenes a warm glow but the magenta color looks totally fake, especially when one sees it only across the top of the photograph. Please throw that split density magenta filter away and let the southwest present its beauty naturally. Still a great and valuable book to own.

Breathtaking photos of the Colorado plateau
This book offers a breathtaking view of the Colorado plateau. The full-page color photos are so incredibly vivid they almost jump off the page. It really makes you feel like you are there.

You get a look at towering mountains & magnificent nature made stone sculptures. Cascading waterfalls, meandering steams, peaceful snowscapes, brilliant autumn leaves, beautiful flowers & endless skies take your breath away.

Muench is a master at capturing detail and light, and this setting shows off his talent to the maximum. A narrative by James Lawrence provides a history of the area and conveys the feelings inspired by this natural wonderland.

Some images have small quotes & poems under them. In the back, each photo is shown in miniature with comments from photographer and technical details. This book provides a beautiful world to get lost in.

One of the Best from David Muench
Besides the several landscape books from Muench, I have collected quite a few other landscape books from other famous photographers. By far, this is the one I like most (together with one by Apse called "New Zealand Landscape"). The photos in the book fully demonstrate that one can always breathe new life to old scenes with enough skill, perception and perseverence.


Related Vacation Book Subjects: Virginia
More Pages: James Page 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100