This book is very technical in the mathematics of shift operators: even with a good understanding of Hilbert spaces and Banach theory this book will be very hard to read. If you are a PH. D. student in this specific are of math, it might be useful, otherwise it is probably a waste of money! Even if it is cheap!

There are a few books within a subject of mathematics which
stand out from the others, and this is one. The writing is crisp, and yet engaged. It is also the place where we look up the fundamentals in the subject;-- and it is one which seems to be timeless,-- one that doesn't go out of fashion. As the fashions change, we still need to be able to refer to
the fundamental and timeless ideas, upon which the changing trends continue to rely. It is great that we have Dover to
reprint such classics in math. Even among the classics, this one is special.

One of the interesting aspects of writing a thesis on imagery in Hardy's novels was getting to read some of the lesser known of his writings, this one included. While there is good reason for many of them to be little considered, "A Laodicean" is still worth a read if you are a Hardy fan. It was largely written while he was bedridden after a mystery illness in 1880-1881. In the novel. Hardy tries to capture the changing world in the England of his day. Aristocracy and family names had dominated, but new wealth in the form of industry and technology were beginning to assert themselves. Thus, his heroine Paula Powers can't make up her mind which of her two suitors, an aristocrat and an architect, she really wants. Even when she makes her choice, there is still doubt in her mind right to the end of the novel, hence the description of her as a `Laodicean', (from Revelation 3:14-22) someone who is neither hot nor cold. Many of the images and themes which we associate with Hardy's better known novels are here, but it never quite hits the heights. Still, it is interesting to see this take on the changes on England's society near the end of the 19th century.

Thomas Hardy's 1881 novel, "A Laodicean" is often overlooked among his more noted works, like "Tess" or "Jude". While "A Laodicean" is not the most subtly developing Victorian novel in terms of romance, it is sophisticated and worth reading in other aspects. Subtitled "A Story of To-day," Hardy's novel effectively explores the relationship between the coming age of technology and the death of the aristocracy in pre-20th century Britain.

The novel begins with George Somerset, a flighty and intelligent young man who has tinkered with several pursuits, but is finally settling into architecture. Wandering about the vicinity of Markton village, he comes upon a rustic baptism. Paula Power, a young heiress whose late father was a railroad tycoon, refuses to be baptized, raising Pastor Woodwell's charge against her that she is a "Laodicean," a lukewarm believer. George is engaged to work on the restoration of Paula's new residence, Castle De Stancy. Somerset's fascination with Power is born and the action of the novel begins in earnest.

Some of the themes of interest include technological advance - the telegraph's intrusion into the most ancient spaces - the gothic castle and photography. With the image of the crumbling gothic Castle De Stancy, Hardy questions the relevance of hereditary aristocracy and religious fervor to the cosmopolitan modern age. With Paula, Hardy's lifelong interest in the independent heroine is complicated and subtly nuanced. With the fascinating Mr. Dare, Hardy plays with his gothic and colonial subtexts, prefiguring Bram Stoker's late 1890's "Dracula."

"A Laodicean" is worth reading because it is itself lukewarm - unsure whether progress is always positive and uncomfortable with the flippancy of both the aristocracy and new wealth. It is a book whose very instabilities and insecurities make it engaging.

I cannot give a review of the entire book, as I have only read one of the short stories contained in it. I read the one entitled, "Rumpole of the Younger Generation." I felt like I was wasting my time, because all I was reading was a synopsis of a former triumph of this man. The case might have been exciting, but the author did not play fair, and the guilty party was obvious. I did not like this story very much, and can only hope that the rest of them are better than this one was.

The inaugural book in the Rumpole saga presents one of the great characters of British crime fiction. It's Holmes with humor (excuse me; humour), Bertie Wooster with brains. A collection of short stories, all revolve around Horace Rumpole, a self-described "Old Bailey hack". He practices (almost) exclusively as a defense barrister, specializing in hopeless causes, spouting poetry and cigar ash with equal gusto. The book provides the background for the accompanying series on "PBS", and it is at least as much a credit to Leo McKern's portrayal of Horace Rumpole as it is to author John Mortimer's skill that the stories--now contained in three massive omnibuses--have such deep appeal.

A teenage boy asks Frank and Joe to go come to his home in Vermont to investigate a series of forest fires which he believes have been set by a zombie. Also, a circus owner asks Frank and Joe for help when his Big Top is plagued by accidents. Perhaps I expect too much from those books with titles like "Track Of The Zombie", "Night Of The Werewolf" or "The Witchmaster's Key", but rarely have the books ever lived up to such appealing titles (that is not to say that the books were bad, though). This book was mistitled because the zombie parts could have easily been eliminated without changing the plot much. The story isn't bad, it is fairly fast-paced, and has a fair amount of action, but for anyone anticipating a story about a zombie, you'll be disappointed with this one.

Well, overall this book was good. The zombie was definitely human, and it's hard to say if it seemed real or not. The other parts of the story are okay, and some are hilarious. If it had a few more funny parts, I'd think this book wasn't a mystery book at all. So it's hard to say wether I liked it or not. Especially because of the characteristics of some sort. And really, the Hardys didn't seem their best in this one. I can't believe I wasted my time on this...but it seems good...

This book just doesn't compare with the rest of the series. The quality of the prose is, as usual, excellent, however O'Brian's treatment of his characters leaves a lot to be desired. It is almost as if his publisher has pressured him into producing the book to a deadline.

To someone who has not read all the others the book would seem excellent (and rate a higher number of stars). To a diehard fan of Aubrey and Maturin this novel just doesn't cut it.

While we are, as usual, treated to a good deal of the two principal character's thoughts and feelings it is done in solitary isolation. In addition O'Brian falls down in his treatment of many old friends such as Bonden and Diana. As another reviewer says above it is absurd that their characters (who we have learned to know so well from the excellent in depth description in his other novels) are rubbed out in approximately one line each. It is also wholly inconsistent with the prior volumes in the series. How can O'Brian expect us to believe that Jack Aubrey showed no reaction whatsoever to the death of Bonden, his loal coxswain over whose injuries we see him fretting in earlier volumes.

Essentially O'Brian has lost the fantastic level of analysis of the many intertwined relationships between the characters that made the earlier novels so superb.

The story is still exciting and very well written, but to any new readers contemplating dipping into the series DON'T start with this book. Buy the other nineteen, read them four times over (like I have) and then enjoy this as a good book in isolation.

I sincerely hope that the last novel returns to the standard we (perhaps unfairly) have come to expect - perhaps O'Brian can dream up some believable way to reincarnate Diana (Bonden was probably too decisively cut out of the picture in a colourless one liner). Maybe, Mr O'Brien, you can use your wonderful skill to rectify this state of affairs).

I have no problem with characters being killed off but let's hope that the author brings back his wonderfully sensitive treatment of the characters and their relationships with each other in the 20th book. It is the character treatment combined with the authenticity, great writing and the setting that makes these books so delightful.

Let me preface all that follows; this review is for those of us who have travelled with Jack and Stephen for 18 novels. If you are thinking of starting with "The Hundred Days" don't. Start at the beginning. It is worth it. The quality of writing and crafting of a story is constantly excellent through out the series.

I finished "The Yellow Admirable" with a sad heart, fearing there would be no more stories, hoping there would be two more books. My joy in learning of them was delightful. I downloaded the first chapter and read it hungerly, until I learnt of Dianna's death and my heart folded in two for a character I had adored and in some ways related to as a woman. I found myself concerned for Stephen, Sophie and Jack. I went out late that night and hunted down the book.

I couldn't figure out why Dianna was killed, couldn't see the sense in it. But maybe it has something to do with how the sudden death of a beloved one is incomprehensible, like the author experienced with that of Mrs Mary O'Brian. I think "The Hundred Days" is Mr O'Brian's grieving novel. It is, as all his work, crafted in a way that raises your expectation of writing, it looks at life, as always,in a delicate and strong manner. But it read to me that my favorite author was in pain and was writing to heal and get the book over and done with.

As a hungry reader I wanted a long and detailed book, like "The Post Captain", because I wanted to stay in the world created by this author. I found myself wanting to know how Sophie and the family were, I wanted to see Jack reach the official status of Admiral, of any rank and colour other than yellow. I wanted to see more of the relationship of Jack and Stephen. But this wasn't to be. I didn't understand the significance of the last few lines of the novel and am still pondering them.

All this as a reader disappoints me. All this as someone who wants my favorite author to be happy saddens me as it shows me his sense of loss. Others are commenting on the lack of detail about Stephen's grieving. Well I think we have been honoured to witness how Mr O'Brian is dealing with his. We have all experienced loss for ourselves and can understand the understatement of Stephen's.

I confess to being shocked by Bonden's departure. I re-read the passage several times to be sure I had understood it, there wasn't any elaboration which stood in stark contrast to the death's of other more minor charactors. I don't think it has to do with feelings of the era and attitude to death. Jack has cried in public for the loss of life during battle for men he has sailed with for only one voyage. Bonden has been with him for 20 years. Maybe this will be further explored in the next novel, I hope at least.

I also hope the next novel is lengthy and detailed, we hear from Sophie and all at home, we see more of the friendship that has taught us about human nature, the dry wit of Stephen and the silly puns of Jack.

"The Hundred Days" is an outstanding book to lose yourself in. It is also one that leaves the devoted reader hungering for more. It is also a book of contrast; in some regards I found it to be his finest, in others I found it wanting. Either way, I'm thankful it was written and I loved reading it. I just wish it hadn't finished so quickly.

I confess I peeked at the reviews of this book before settling in to read it and was a bit worried by the rather harsh remarks by a number of readers. Shouldn't have been. This is a novel of real power. Witty (often darkly humorous), intelligent and beautifully written it is completely at a piece with rest of the series. Still puzzled by those reviewers who claim this was ghosted and a bit troubled by one writer who complained Villier's death was a problem because she was such a strong female character. Well yes, but this isn't Oprah nor is this about consciousness raising as we know it at the end of the twentieth century. Rather, this work is a fantistically imagined glimpse into the very early nineteenth century-a time quite different from our own. I had heard of O'Brian first in the mid-1970's but couldn't rally much interest. Napoleonic Wars? Royal Navy? So? Then, for some reason or another, I picked up 'Master and Commander' over the New Year's Holiday. Three months later, I had read each of the nineteen novels in sequence. One of the great reading experiences of my life. 'The Hundred Days' is an altogether tougher work than those which preceed it. Aubrey and Maturin have been at this for a great long while. The war with Napoleon drags on and on. Fortunes are made and lost. Friends and family die. There indeed is very little of the joy to be found in the earlier books. Choices available to a person were far fewer in number in the early 1800's. Societal constraints, class strictures, duty-any number of factors conspired to grind a person down. By the end of 'The Hundred Days' Aubrey seems tired and spiritless. And why not? Good friends killed. Endless political intrigue. He faces huge responsibilities as the 'Lord of the Manor' and member of Parliament as well those in his naval career. The death of his best friend's wife and the death of his long time coxswain Bonden are terribly painful. Remember, Aubrey has been at sea since the age of twelve. It is not a warm and fuzzy place to live. It is a painful and isolated existence. No,'The Hundred Days' gets it really, really right. It has been a wonderful trip for Aubrey and Maturin and all the rest, but the cost has been huge.

I just got the book last night Great Braids!!! So far just by flipping though it and reading a little bit of it I am not sure about it. I bought the book because my daughter has long hair that is hard to keep fixed for a full day of school. The pictures and diagrams are kind of confusing. I already know how to to the regular french braid but I wanted a little varation. This book does have that. I am just not sure she will be still long enough for me to do these styles for her. One thing I really like about this book though is that the front of the book teaches you to make a few hairbows. Overall the book seems to be what I was looking for.

if you're a beginner and you've never seen a french braid before, you MIGHT want to invest in this book. I didn't. I got it from the library. Had I bought it it would have been a total waste of money. The "open file system" is annoying, not useful, and you definately can't use it to do your own hair. Because of the open file system, I still don't understand how to do a "four strand braid", which was the ONLY braid I didn't already know how to do. ...

In some ways this novel is quite innovative and surprising, and at times it does not even seem to be a novel at all; in any case, it is the most unique book by Hardy that I have read. The characterization is vague, and Hardy uses very unusual symbolism. The hair imagery is anticipated somewhat in tess, and also in woodlanders, but here it is developed most completely. I must admit, I was more baffled at the end of this than of any other of his novels, due mostly to the lack of traditional novelistic form and straightforward plot and characterization. Nevertheless, his genius comes through if one is patient.

I was so impressed just by Darling's little pink-diary-with-a-lock-and-key packaging that, in itself, it may be enough to buy the book just to enhance the look of your bookshelf. Otherwise....Not much inside. Most memorable is a photocopy of a diary page of Darling describing what it's like to have once been known and then forgotten...or worse. The book has pages that make you regret you must hesitate for a moment before flipping to the next.

" It Glittered and it gleamed, for the arriving beauty queen" The words once sang by Siouxsie Sioux, describes the spiritual search for the ghost of Jane Mansfield. I guess the words itself in the title could have been uttered by Candy as she applied her favourite colour of lipstick by Revlon...Fire and Ice. While not an autobiography by any means, these are her words plain and simple. Little Jimmy from Long Island, grew up to be one of the Warhol "Girlettes" as she tried to emulate her favourite star, Lana Turner. The book is filled with basic odds and ends from little journals and scrap pieces of paper thrown together to cash in on the success of " I Shot Andy Warhol ". She considered herself a great actress and wanted forever to get the flaw between her legs taken off, but instead from illegal hormones died of cancer. Sadly, this is basically the only book out there that is a companion piece to " A Low Life in High Heels " By Holly Woodlawn, he fellow transgendered actor friend, rival, and sometimes, an enemy. Don't look for any special secrets (other than what it is a woman should where when going out, and a horrid recipe for a salad, ) about her life or anything, but random bitchy words and poems from someone who is lost to us forever except for two films and a photos taken by some of the best fashion photographers.

I've been interested in Candy ever since I saw her in "I Shot Andy Warhol" (played by Steven Dorff) I decided to buy this book because I have an interest in all things related to Andy, the Factory, and the entourage. It's very interesting- the entries are Candy's own handwriting, some of them go back to when she was in middle school. There are even pictures she drew herself. There are some nice photos too- even one in the front of her and Andy. Candy's writing is also very heartfelt- you can tell she desperately wanted to be something she wasn't. My favorite passage in the whole book is "You must be true to yourself no matter what the cost, it is the highest form of morality." My only complaint is that it should have gotten under the surface and told more about her life. But overall, I think Mr. Newton did a wonderful job. You feel like you get to know Candy throught this book, it even looks like it could have been her diary- it has a lock and key and everything. It's a good book for those who are interested in Candy, or things that went on in the Factory.

I listened to the audio version, and was pretty disappointed. I'm hoping some of the problem is the abridgement. While the book is ostensibly about Hardy, he didn't really seem to play a major role. It was just a grim tale about a LOT of people messing up their lives, and killing a lot of other people in the process.
In the middle, Hardy gets some romantic action, after reminiscing about the death of his baby, for which he feels responsible. From his description of events, he IS responsible, so that did nothing to endear the character to me.
I saw every plot twist a mile before it happened, and I consider myself a pretty naive reader, so that's not good.
I gather this book is one of a series, and wonder if maybe the author is counting on us to already like his principal character. I'll try another Lescroart book, but if it's like this one, it will be my last.

In fact, way too many of them. Lescroart is so busy marching people on and off stage that he forgets to get the plot going for way, way too long.

The Dismas Hardy series does get better. But unless you're one of those compulsive people (like me) who has to read a series from the beginning, skip this one.

Dismas Hardy is a brooding Irishman who wears the pain of his personal losses like a costume. He is a former marine, policeman, attorney, husband and father and each of these past roles - and their attendant disappointments, pain and loss - play a very big part in his solitary and aloof approach to life. He tends bar at one of his closest friend's, Moses McGuire, neighborhood bar, plays a fairly decent game of darts, and drinks too many Black and Tans. He is a bartender who will listen to your sad tale, provide some bar-side philosophy with a bit of Irish cynicism and take your keys when you have had too much. He is in a slow spiral down until Moses's brother-in-law, Eddie Cochran, turns up dead. The first thinking is suicide but all those who know Eddie are convinced it was murder. Dismas makes it his business to find out.
This is a fast paced novel with many interesting, fully developed characters and enough questions on each page to keep you turning.

This review concerns the revised 1970 edition. Frank and Joe help their fencing instructor, Ettore Russo, by going to California, along with Chet, to find the guard end of a broken saber. The saber had belonged to Russo's grandfather, and proof that Russo is the rightful heir to his grandfather's estate is supposed to be engraved on the saber. Also looking for the saber is a gang on bank robbers, who have stolen some of Mr. Hardy's voiceprint records. Personally, I didn't care much for this book. I found that the first few chapters weren't all that important and could have been eliminated or shortened without hurting the rest of the story much. Also, the Hardys are told to track down a certain man who may be able to give them clues as to the whereabouts of the saber and it takes them very little time to find him. I didn't feel that the book had much action and the last chapter was pretty bad. Frank and Joe don't even catch most of the gang; the only one that they do catch is in, of all places, the city dump. You can read this book if you like, but its not one I'd strongly recommend.

This was a very good mystery book. It is about fencing (swordfighting) and the search for a missing blade that has a will written on it. The Hardy Boys have some great adventures trying to find it; everything from duels to movie-making! Although the plot was kindof predictable, the book was still a fun read.

This review concerns the original 1942 edition. Mr. Hardy's case of thieves stealing merchandise as it is being unloaded from ships leads Frank and Joe into another case concerning a broken sword blade. This book is well written, fast paced, has plenty of action and has a good beginning that quickly grabs the reader. My big problem with the book was that, while Mr. Hardy played a prominent role in this book, he was the only one of the other main characters of the series to do so, since most of the book was set outside of Bayport. Still, it was a really good book that most Hardy Boys fans should enjoy.

A good read, but the book makes you wonder what Lescroart can do next with his batch of characters. I'm betting the next book will feature new characters as this one would be hard to follow with just another story about Dismas and company.

In John Lescroart's new thriller, "The First Law," San Francisco resembles the Wild West. A corrupt and malicious individual named Wade Panos wields tremendous political power. Panos and his gang rob and murder whomever they please with impunity, and the police either cannot or will not stop them.

Abe Glitsky, a veteran detective, has been moved out of homicide and into the payroll department of the police force, much to his chagrin. However, when Sam Silverman, an elderly friend of Abe's father, is robbed and murdered, Abe takes a look at the case. Much to his surprise, Abe is stymied in his inquiries at every turn; it soon becomes clear that his colleagues on the force do not want Abe interfering in their investigation. To make matters worse, Abe's good friend, Dismas Hardy, represents a man who is being framed for killing Sam. As Abe and Dismas continue to challenge Wade Panos, dead bodies begin piling up and it becomes clear that if Dismas and Abe do not back off, they may be risking their lives.

I love the characters of Dismas Hardy and Abe Glitsky. They are macho and sensitive as well as intelligent and compassionate. I admit that the plot of "The First Law" is a bit far-fetched. It is difficult to believe that such lawlessness would prevail in a city as cosmopolitan as San Francisco. However, Lescroart makes the point that evil people with no conscience do exist. If normally law-abiding citizens are to fight such individuals, they sometimes have to act in unorthodox ways in order to survive.

At four hundred pages, "The First Law" is a bit too long. However, the plot and the dialogue are lively and compelling and the characters are nicely drawn. Lescroart maintains a high level of suspense and excitement until "The First Law" reaches its dramatic and action-packed conclusion.

THE FIRST LAW is the latest book in the series involving San Francisco lawyer Dismas (Diz) Hardy and police lieutenant Abe Glitsky. However, it is neither a legal thriller or courtroom drama as the earlier books have been, but is a straight police procedural (with the investigation handled in a totally inept way) interspersed with fast paced action. Glitsky has recovered from the severe wounds suffered in THE OATH, but has been replaced as head of the Homicide Unit during his recuperation and is now head of payroll. When his father's best friend is murdered during a robbery at his pawnshop, Glitsky soon finds his requests and suggestions during the investigation are viewed as interference and an attempt to regain his former position. Meanwhile, the detectives in charge uncover evidence that points to a good friend and former client of Diz, John Holiday.

As subsequent murders occur and Hardy uncovers evidence that calls into question Holiday's guilt, he tries to convince an increasingly reluctant Abe to enlist the help of the police and subsequently their mutual friend DA Clarence Jackman. However, these leads point in the direction of the family of Wade Panos, the politically well connected head of the Patrol Special, a private SF police force which has been the source of much of the information being used to develop the case against Holiday. Concomitantly, Hardy and his long time mentor and associate David Freeman are pursing a multimillion dollar civil case against Panos and his organization (and also the police department as their liaison) based on allegations of brutality and evidence tampering. Thus, when apparently conclusive evidence against Holiday appears and Holiday subsequently disappears, Hardy is viewed as having lost all credibilty because of his conflict of interest. Further murders and violence incidents occur, eventually both the Hardy and Glitsky families are directly threatened.

This story is filled with the characters that we have come to know through the course of the previous books, including Diz' wife Frannie and kids Rebecca and Vincent, his brother-in-law Moses McGuire, Treya Glitsky, and Gina Roake. They and their relationships are further developed and are an integral element of this story. The reader has to accept the premise that police investigators can be so totally misled, and the compounding of their errors is extremely frustrating at times. However, the story proceeds in a way that is totally internally consistent, and it will immediately resonate with any reader who has either has experienced police incompetence/malfeasance or knows someone who has.

In the author's preface preceding the story, Lescroart acknowledges the inspiration derived from BLOODY SEASON, a book about the gunfight at the OK Corral. THE FIRST LAW then begins with a brief scene involving Diz and Moses that takes place chronologically very near the end of the story, and that effectively creates the tension that will build for the rest of the book with regard to whether the faith in the law upon which Hardy and Glitsky have relied their entire lives is misplaced. Midway through page three Moses defines "the first law" for Diz as "you protect your life and the people you love", and we immediately are aware that this story may well end with the modern day equivalent of the OK Corral shootout. Thus, there is never any real mystery of who the murderers and criimnals are, although there are a few minor surprises. The real question is who will be left standing and who might suffer collateral damage, and it is not pretty. In fact, even several of the good guys and long time characters in the series are not immune from the violence which results from the original botched robbery and murder.

So, if you want an action filled story with some legal twists and are a fan Hardy and Glitsky, you should like this book.