This is a very good,fun book and gives young girls cool hairstyle ideas that can be done at home!Cool!

A good book. Could be better organized

My six year-old daughter devoured this book -- which unlike most Barbie material, is truly intelligent, creative, and challenging. Cheers to Karen Tina Harrison for giving Barbie a brain -- and young readers a chance to benefit from it.

This text represents a lower division stepping stone from pop cosmology (the first three minutes, cosmic questions, the inflationary universe) to scholary texts. Much insight can be gleaned from the author's imagination experiments. Still, the plethora of equations can mislead readers into thinking they have somehow mastered essentials.
The author is far behind in his understanding of post 1980 observations and theory. Occasional mistakes in algebra can also be unsettling. Buy this book but soley in preparation for more serious texts and reviews.

Undoubtedly, "Cosmology, The Science of the Universe" by Edward Harrison is by far the best book on cosmology that I have ever read. Dr. Harrison did an outstanding job in presenting the physics of the universe. He does not shy away from presenting the mathematics necessary for a complete understanding of the physics involved in describing the universe (or universes as Dr. Harrison points out).

The book contains hundreds of equations, diagrams, illustrations, tables, charts, descriptions and analogies so the reader (or student) can grasp a complete understanding of the physics.

This book is a must for any student of astrophysics. I very much enjoyed reading and would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in understanding the physics of the universe.

Even though "Cosmology" is technically a textbook, it takes a rather different sort of approach from the usual such offering. This book makes the subject come alive with excitement by employing a unique style. Even though the book was designed for intro ivy-league students, there's more than enough here to challenge (and intrique) someone who's fully science/physics-literate. The book emphasizes basic principles and intelligently avoids the various fads which seem to plague cosmology at any given time (inflation, dark matter, excessive veneration of the latest observations made with the newest & sexiest technology, etc). It makes clear the important distinction between astronomy and cosmology.

Harrison is both an expert in, and an aficionado of, the grand ideas about creation, so the hard science here is interspersed with relevant pieces of history, philosophy, and literature (i.e., the humanities) -- but not too much, rather just enough to give an appreciation for how great minds of all sorts have wrestled with these problems in one form or another for as long as we know. And Harrison has a way of boiling down the difficult concepts to their essentials, making an opaque subject transparent.

Even though the scientific level is moderately high for a book aimed ostensibly at novices, there are no lengthy mathematical derivations or formulas of the sort that one might think would be necessary to convey, say, Einstein's general relativity or the intricacies of sub-atomic physics. Often taking an order-of-magnitude and geometrical approach, the book avoids long confusing digressions into trivialities and summarizes many of its important points in excellent diagrams. Harrison is great at bringing in just enough from some other branch of physics to help you grasp the topic at hand, so the development as you progress through the book is nearly perfect. He's also excellent at conveying the important conundrums, uncertainties, and many pitfalls in the field. The coverage is very balanced and complete, yet anything but shallow.

Even though I was a grad student in astrophysics at Berkeley, I didn't learn cosmology from Joseph Silk there. Instead, I learned it after I left -- from this book (the 1st edition). Harrison is that good at making what can be a perplexing subject both interesting and understandable. I came away from it feeling I finally "got" cosmology, the grandest of all subjects.

The only better book for the less serious lay person or someone who finds scientific material difficult would be his "Masks of the Universe" -- unfortunately now out-of-print, but well worth tracking down.

but, I believe that anyone interested in numeric codes in the Bible can not pass up the books written by Del Washburn. "The Original Code in the Bible" and "Theomatics II" clearly explain the subject of Theomatics to the reader. "The Original Codes in the Bible" is a great place to start. It is a much easier read than "Theomatics II" which is equally good, but longer and more technical. Theomatics is 100x (or more) provable than the more popular "Bible Code" which in fact has been debunked in many peoples' minds.

Del Washburn has been researching in Theomatics since the 70's and the body of evidence in support of the Theomatic code is astounding. I can only wonder why this so obvious phenomanon has not received more attention... then again, isn't that how God always works?

If you want more understanding as you read the Bible, read this book. This book proves that God is the Master Mathematician and we're not. Actually, I'm not any good at math at all, but I understand the basic concept Harrison is writing about. As a matter of fact, its easy to do this stuff yourself. For example: In Chapter 8 I read that "153" is Jesus' celestial number, so I found out on my own that the word "lamb(s)" is in the Old Testament 153 times (Jesus is the "Lamb" of God that takes the sin away from the world)! Also, regarding the 144,000 Jews that will be saved after the rapture, I counted Jerusalem in the New Testament and its in there 144 times! I love this book! Go for it - you can find your own pieces of the "God" puzzle as I have. God is letting us in on so many things. Don't miss out!

All I can say is get this book. Take time to read this book. You will not be disapointed.

Keyboardists can use this book as well. The first part details basics (chords, scales, etc) real quickly (I guess experienced users wont need the basics in detail) The second part goes through genres specifically. (pop ballad, rock, r&b, gospel, country etc)

Parts are split up among accompanying and melody leading. A beginner with no background will have no idea how to use this book. It is not a manual, more of a reference book for popular piano styles. Not for beginners, for the experienced. There isn't too much text explaining things. More of it showing and the reader to understand, digest and improvise. So you need some prehand understanding.

Excellent book no doubt.

I do have complaints though. First the binding is terrible. My book's pages started falling apart very quickly. I needed to go to a publisher friend of mine who took it apart and rebinded it for me. I may have had to lose the pretty cover but now it is sturdy. Second the paper is made of somewhat heavy stock making the book itself very large and weighty. I'm sure this contributed to the book falling apart.

This could be a very good technique book as well for people who want to learn popular piano if it is read and used carefully.

He has an abundance of technical exercises in rhythm patterns, which is something that cannot be gained from Hanon, the king of technical exercise books.

Many teachers are not very good at teaching popular piano, instead preferring to reinterpret it as classical music (which is not appropriate given its different rhythm patters and key signatures--often less complicated than those in classical). This was written by a man who teaches popular piano and has a very clear idea of the rhythm patterns that make that unique. For example: He makes extensive use of the tie line and syncopation in his examples of R&B, which is what one finds in real music of this genre. But it is very hard to get that type of practice if learning classical songs.

As it has been noted before, the binding for this book sucks. But there are ways to get around that.

Also: This seems to encompass almost everything in other basic theory books that I have read/ own. It has actually obviated my other theory/ rhythm books. It will be a good saving of money to invest in this before any others.

Finally: The book CAN be used by beginners (in tandem with learning some scales) if it is used as he recommends. He says in the opening pages that it was written/ designed to be used by people at myriad levels.

I've been working out of this book for a few weeks now and it's excellent. I consider myself an intermediate at piano, I'm completely self-taught and never taken piano lessons. I just got fake books and taught myself. However this book fills in a huge whole (for me). It gives patterns in different styles. So after completing this book, when I read a fake book I'll have lots of patterns to chose from.

As the others said, this isn't a book for beginners. Someone with years of piano lessons can probably go right through it, whereas I spend 30 minutes just on a couple patterns. If you're a novice and don't mind spending a lot of time praticing, you can greatly benefit from this book as well.

Finally, I purchased the MIDI files from Mark Harrison's website. I strongly recommend these if you're not a really good piano player. I mute each hand while playing the other while learning each hand. It's very helpful.

Jim Harrison walks in a world where people routinely stuff animals inside other animals, saute the sweetbreads to feed the cat, and routinely have soft-shell crab FedExed to their remote writerly outposts. This is evident from reading "the Raw and the Cooked", a collection of his food essays which appeared in Esquire and Men's Journal, among other barometers of male taste.

(...)Harrison is at his best detailing those hidden corners of America that are quickly vanishing from our contracting universe where new advances in cuisine are largely limited to colored ketchups. And we both decry the flavorless but universal boneless, skinless chicken breast kept on menus everywhere for its entirely unprovocative nature, usually presented with all the flare and originality of an Alvarado Strret whore. The lengths to which Harrison will go NOT to eat a boring meal are fun to read, as is his continually incongruous Republican bashing. His writing is as relevant to your life as you would like it to be.

Where Harrison gets off-target is in his frequent name dropping of business and personal associates. Do we really care that he's pals with Harrison Ford or has made moon-eyes across the table with Winona Ryder? Save that for tarpon fishing trips with Hunter Thompson and Jack Nicholoson. Also, some of the contents of his backwoods pantry seem a bit fantastic, especially for those of us who live 400 miles away from the nearest specialty grocer. Fresh serranos, ground chiltepins, dried posole, etc are all instantly at his fingertips whenever necessary for an impromptu midday snack. It does liven up his writing, however.

(...)

Harrison will make you laugh outloud with his views on our society. He does, however, make some very serious points and not all is in jest. He shows that you can't write about food without touching on all aspects of our lives as human beings.

Harrison collects columns written for various publications between the years 1990 and 2000 and presents them in one handy volume. There is no doubting that Harrison loves to indulge himself with great food, great wine and great company. And he can tell a tale. Harrison is at his best when rhapsodizing about memorable meals and contemplating his existence in the universe. Harrison is at his worst when trying to impress the reader that despite living much of the year in the sticks of Upper Peninsula Michigan or borderlands Arizona--he is indeed a jet-set world traveler, who knows everyone (Hollywood, Paris, the Big Apple, Key West) and is quite a witty dinner companion (he kept Winona Ryder in stiches one evening). Ultimately, I found it best to put up with the occasional self ego masaaging boast in order to indulge in some superb food writing.

I'll be honest. I thought this book was crap. I bought it at a used book store because I thought it would be humorous and fun. It was humorous and fun, but Harrison's Stainless Steel Rat books were about ten times better while retaining the fun part. The characters were one-dimensional, the plot was merely an uninspiring parody of "Aliens," and the action was rather boring. It's a book for young people and readers who want a bit of mind candy.

This is easily my favorite Bill book, and most of my friends put it high up on their list too. I think anyone would have a good time reading it.

I must say that this being the first Bill bookI ever read, it was what got me hooked. A few things like the stone foot, and the elephant foot sprout weren't all that clear in the beginning because the stone foot's from the previous book, and then there's the two inch fangs and a black arm on the wrong side (but all that was explained in the first book which is another CLASSIC....well, except the foot thing) But after starting it I couldn't put it down. Harrison's unique and often farcical style is what makes this book a keeper. Many of the funniest things were small simple plays on words. Anyway, if you find yourself a copy of this book, GIVE IT TO ME! It's impossible to find, I got it from the library and it was gone the next time I looked for it, NEVER LET GO OF BILL BOOKS! EVER! I loaned volume 1 to my friend and I never got it back! >:- (

Excellent story book, keeps my impatient 3 year old transfixed page after page thanks to the terrific stories and outstanding illustrations. Wish there wer more books like this around, a must have for your kids!

I received this book when I was little, and I remember being mesmerized by it. I'm glad I kept it, because I've had the pleasure of reading it to my young stepson over and over. When asked what he wants to read before going to bed, he usually answers, "The Giant Book!! All three stories!!" Plus, before each story, there are limericks that always make him laugh. This book is a great find!

I read this book to my children in Germany 25 years ago. I found a used copy recently here in Houston and am going to buy several new copies for my present and future grandchildren. Very comforting to read! Erda Hillmann Houston, TX

HARRISON'S is synonymous with clinical books that worth their weights in gold. This 15th/ed CD-ROM maintained that tradition. It adds the much-needed portability to some 2700-paged heavyweight. However, the air-tight use-restrictions attached to the ...price is simply suffocating. I wish that the publisher had relaxed a bit!
Overall though, there were compensations. The CD contents are superb: far better than what the textbook versions offer. Anyone with interest in medical science should give it a try. It is elaborate and easy to understand. The excellent chapters on pharmacology and infectious diseases are particularly worth mentioning.

I have been reading Harrison's Medicine right from my residency. Its a fabulous book one can refer to as an undergraduate or postgratuate student. However for a practitioner one would prefer to have little more stress on management details. Adding audio to CD of the same book will make it more useful.

Mukund Baheti Consultant Neurologist Nagpur- 440 012 India

This book is the Bible of Internal Medicine. Anyone considering a career in medicine should have this book in their library. Comprehensive and well written, it is the gold standard of medical textbooks.

There are not to many characters like Whitey anymore. I enjoyed reading about the early days of surfing, commerical fishing and outrigger paddling. I've experienced all three and reading about the early years was great ! Great stories

This book makes you feel as though you wished you lived during the romantic years of California. True tales of when discovery was a part of everyday survival and the antics of a charming individual and how his effects will live on in the hearts of many! A must read for the nostalgic at heart!

Aloha.....Potsie Point Loma, CA

Can't wait for the screenplay! Once I picked it up, I couldn't put it down. The charm of this book is the way it's told--reflections of a childhood feeling loved, protected, nurtured and special regardless of the economic or social conditions. And if "a picture's worth 1,000 words" then the ones contained within these pages are infinitely wonderful. This book is a heartwarming account of the pioneering spirit that has sparked a worldwide surfing sensation -- surfer or not, it'll spark your zeal for family and seeking a life of fulfillment.

I think that the book is pretty good so far, but it does have a few things that I can't quite relate to or understand. Most people in today's society don't get pointed out for commiting adultery. It's like an everyday thing now. People just don't do that anymore. I do think that is was great to see how the people back then viewed certain quailties and how they carried out their religious beliefs. To me, this was a story about a woman named Hester Prynne who was caught up in a bad love triangle. She was married to a scholar who had sent her ahead to Boston. She got caught up and fell in love with the minster Dimmesdale. She got pregnant and had a daughter who she named Pearl because she was the most precious and expensive thing in her life. All of her earnings went towards her. They made Hester and baby Pearl sit out on a scaffold allday to let the people come by and look at them and ridicule them. Hester had to wear a scarlet A on her bosom from hence forth. She made the most of it, though. Pearl had an intuition and she could recognize how was good and who was bad. She knew the Chillingworth, Hester's husband, was a bad man. She felt a connection with Dimmesdale. One day when Pearl was about seven years old, she asked her mother what did the scarlet letter mean and why did Dimmesdale always cover up his heart. Hester had still not revealed who the father of her child was because she loved him that much. As far as I have read the guilt is eating Dimmesdale up and he wants to tell the people but he doesn't know how. In the end you should try your best not to keep hurtful secrets inside because in the end it will be the thing that destroy's you the most!

Yes, I enjoyed this book. The STORY was good...I am sure you have an idea about it so I won't waste time with a summary. The SETTING was great...Hawthorne brought 17th Century frontier Boston alive with his stunning descriptions. The CHARACTERS were ok...yes, only ok, because I never found myself loving or hating any of them, which to me is evidence that the author was successful with his creation. But...The SYMBOLISM is what makes this book, what makes it a classic!...This book is a brilliant essay on how important it is to abide by a conscience. One mishap can lead you down a path towards destruction. BUT aiding in that destruction were Christians who were more unforgiving then the heathen around them...The christian who reads this book should learn that forgiveness was the #1 thing Christ taught and expects from us! (i.e. He who is merciful shall obtain mercy). BUT what I learned most from this book was how important it is to understand Gods grace! God is not some powerful ogre waiting to punish but a friend waiting to forgive. If this frontier town only could have known this how different their experience would have been!

However, I think this book was cheated because I read it right after the stunning 'Grapes of Wrath' and it simply could not compare, overall, and therefore can not receive the elite five star status! Still a must read if you have never...!

If stories of sacrifice, strength, commitment and love perk your interests, then this may be gratifying reading material for you. Hawthorne's text, The Scarlet Letter, requires concentration and thought to comprehend some of the wording. This book has a copious amount of run-on sentences which makes it seem way too drawn out. I also found it challenging to follow the plot and theme because of the ample amount of detail provided about each character and the various situations. I can see why The Scarlet Letter is considered a classic, but I would not recommend it to anyone.