OUTSTANDING ILLASTRATIONS AND DESCRIPTIVE CONTENT

An excellent introductory book on the skills, techniques, and dangers of rock climbing. All the fundamentals are covered.

I own nearly all the newer rock climbing books. This one, by the Managing Editor of Climbing Magazine and veteran climber/writer Duane Raleigh, has to be one of the best. It has been recommended by Kurt Smith, Lynn Hill and Bobbi Bensman. I found it very well written and hard to put down. At $11.95, it's hard to go wrong with this one as your first choice

Bogosian has a knack for creating compelling characters. A common aspect to all of his characters is desperation. Whether it the paranoid desperation of the "Artist" who stopped making art because "they" would know what he was thinking to the quiet despertion of the homeless "Bottleman" who finds comfort in collecting bottles or cans ("Bottles or cans, it makes no difference") so that he can enjoy an egg salad sandwich to the despertion of the man who calls "Candy" for a good time.

Right from the beginning, Bogosian (both in writing and as the lone actor in a one man show) pushes the envelope in establishing characters who live on the edges of society and who feel the pressure of desperation in their lives. For those of you who are interested, the movie "Talk Radio" has Bogosian exploring themes similar to those explored in "Sex, Drugs, ROck & Roll."

This work amazed me. Acting is generally seen as a cooperative effort, but this collection of monologues proves that wrong. Usually funny and almost always far more insightful than anything in the movies, this work takes an often ignored route to exploring contemporary American culture. Some people may be offended by the vulgar nature of some of the monologues (such as Dirt, in which the only word in the first sentence that is not an obscenity is 'ya'), this very vulgarity is a reality of life that is necessary to accept in order to understand what Bogosian has to say.

Eric Bogosian is one of those writers, like J.D. Salinger or Raymond Carver, who makes me feel like I am not alone. I'm not the only detached observer wondering why the current state of humanity is so absurd. Bogosian always writes about junkies, losers, and heartless bastards. But they always have something that is perceptive and interesting to say. As the last charcter in the book, a nameless "Artist" says, "If they know what I was thinking, man...I'd be dead." I feel the same way with the wealth of "irrational" thoughts that float around in my head. Bogosian is also an expert satirist. Are you tired of self promoting, so called "charitable" rock stars? Read "Benefit," in which a Keith Richards-type figure encourages television viewers to support his "Amazonian Indian" fundraiser. Why? Because they don't even have Pepsi. After reading this book, I find like at least there was some one else who shares some of my views on life. And that revelation felt like it might have saved my life.

A great resource for anyone who is planning to visit NYC - or any New Yorker who wants to know more about the affordable hotels in his or her city. Very informative and cleverly written.

By Bill Marsano. As a native New Yorker and a long-time resident of midtown Manhattan, I'm often asked to recommend a "nice, good, inexpensive" hotel. Bad idea! I live here, and although I do keep a short list in my head, I've never actually stayed at the hotels and know very little about them. After all, nice, good and inexpensive are flexible terms whose definitions vary widely. And since your definition is the only one that counts, don't call me--get a guide. This guide. It's well-organized and thorough, covering not only Manhattan but the 'outer boroughs' (The Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn and even Staten Island) as well, and it's easy to use. The outer boroughs are especially important. Although most people want to visit Manhattan, it's worth remembering that those 'outer' boroughs are but a few minutes away, in most cases, by bus or subway. OK, from Staten Island you have to take a ferry--but it's a terrific scenic ride, and it's free besides.

Lisa Mullenneaux rates hotels (one to five stars) in categories running from Bare Essentials to Full Services, then proceeds to a helpfully large number of sub-categories: First come value for money, cleanliness, guest services and security. Then she gives you all the dope required for an informed choice: rates; number of rooms (and whether the hotel has private baths or shared baths or both), in-room amenities (TV. hair dryers and such), whether there's an on-premises bar and/or restaurant; hotel parking and the kind of clientele you're likely to run into (tourists, businessmen, etc.). Phone and fax numbers, e-dresses and websites, and cancellation policies are included, as well as any special group discounts (e.g., for AAA and AARP) and wheelchair-accessibility. And after each checklist, Mullenneaux provides a thumbnail description that gives an idea of the 'flavor' of the guest experience.

This is the best coverage of New York's low-cost hotels that I've ever seen--miles better than you'll get by calling the city tourist bureau, for example. A half-hour's perusal of this book will save you money, avoid disappointment and quite possibly be the making of your New York vacation.

Travel writer Lisa Mullenneaux's Sleep Cheap in New York: High-Quality Lodgings at Rock-Bottom Rates is the definitive guide to staying in one of America's greatest cities while on a budget. Filled with handy street maps, it covers a wide variety of affordable places to stay from the American Dream Hostel to the New York Inn to various YMCA. Each affordable hotel has a ratings guide, contact information, and a short, direct description. Sleep Cheap In New York is a core, essential reference to finding reasonable lodgings. If you are planning a budget-restricted trip to the Big Apple, begin your travel planning with a careful, money-saving perusal of Lisa Mullenneaux's Sleep Cheap In New York!

i really wanted to play music for anyone- and everyone. a couple of years ago, i read this book and it gave me the push i needed to actually get a band started. we entered our schools phat jam concert, won, played at tons of house parties, played for our school and played the local stadium a few months ago. this book has a bunch of tips for getting started and - very important - getting the gigs... advertisement and junk, if u wanna play in public of whatnot, give it a go... read the book

I've been a rokk (as in Dokken) star for years now. And all I can say is that it's changed my life. For so long I have searched my soul for the true essence of Rock 'n' Roll and now I think I've found it.

You need to know how to act around others so they look up to you, as if you're Bon Jovi? It's in here. You want to be a master of the power chords and know how to really rokk? It's in here!

The high-pased life of the rock star is outlined in here. The writer did a great job teaching me to rock on!

Rock On,

Kristian

What a wonderful book. A usefull tool that will take young adults through the difficult maze of starting a musical career. A great resource into the do's and dont's of starting your first rock band. Highly recommended

you've got to have this book if you are a geotechnical engineer. terzaghi gives examples from actual projects and presents them clearly. there are solutions to geotechnical problems encountered in the field.

Many have commented on my review below -- most favorably. A few said, it was the second edition of the book they had admired most. Well! that was in 1967. Geotechnical engineering has exploded since then. Today it would be almost impossible for anyone to write a 5-star general purpose book on the subject.

I want to thank you for your kind words and encouragement. I am most grateful.

In India people say there is no building like Tajmahal. In civil engineering, I say there is no book like Soil Mechanics in Engineering Practice. Karl Terzaghi, the father of soil mechanics, had a vision, a vision that he lived by, nurtured and preached. Very few have personified Terzaghi's vision better than co-authors, Peck and Mesri.

Permit me to say, no book in this century has had more influence on the rise of civil engineering than has Soil Mechanics in Engineering Practice. Since its first publication in 1948, the book has guided a multitude around the world, spawned countless other books, and set a stage of research for a geotechnical generation gone by, there is, and yet to come.

The library of a geotechnical engineer cannot be said to be complete without a copy of this book.

Henry David Thoreau wrote, "It matters not how far you travel, but how much you are alive," and Jim LeMonds, a former English teacher of mine in the small "mill-town" city of Longview, WA embodies this phrase in his tight, solid prose and compassionate understanding of the area and it's people. For anybody to understand the psyche of this area, the Pacific Northwest, I recommend not only living here and listening, but also a cold plunge into the severely deprived art scene and it's few vibrant sectors. Jim LeMonds, in South of Seattle, provides us with one of these. My favorite essay was Scripture For The Land, for it's sheer intensity and truths.

Jim has captured the life of small town America. More precisely small town Pacific Northwest where the largest employer is the lumber companies and the county fair still attracks the whole town. Jim brings to light some of the hardships and personal obstacles that impede the daily lives of even the most simple lives. The memories that Jim shares will most definitely make you laugh and may even bring you to tears. An intimate exploration of a great geographical area.

I am a former English student of the author of "South of Seattle," and not only is this man an exceptional teacher, but he is the only writer of my acquaintance to so vibrantly capture the spirit of life in the ever-growing Pacific Northwest--roots, leaves, rain, et al. If you want to experience a small lumber town and are unfourtunate enough not to have been born and raised there, then take your next best option as an outsider and read this book. This journey through time and terrain is all the more meaningful due to the obvious love the author feels for his topic. Don't miss this one...

It's a great practice book, if you want to improve your playing from the blues based style to neo-classical this is the book to study, very direct and simple. the Slow demo on the CD is great not too slow that you'll miss the "feel" but enough speed to play it properly.

This is a great book to learn classical pieces arranged for electric guitar to broaden your soloing repertoire. It helps you practice techniques such as tapping, sweep picking, rolling, and speed. It contains the following pieces:
Jesu, joy of man's desire
Toccata No 4
Etude
Caprice No 24
The Four Seasons
The Flight Of The Bumble Bee
Canon
Toccata
Fugue
The book is short (46 pages), but you will spend a good amount of time practicing this stuff.

This book is great! It's played in 2 different speeds and with tablature. Play Vivaldi's "Four Seasons" and J.S. Bach's "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring." Many others like R. Furetzer, N. Paganini, and more!

By his nature, David Bowie isn't an easy person to write a book about. He is very complicated, closed, and truly a "chameleon", which is the label many put on him. Buckley does an admirable job. He is obviously a devout fan, but he writes this book with a very balanced view. It is neither complete idolatry, nor is it a "kiss and tell" book. Instead, it is mostly about Bowie's art (music is obviously most of that, but his other forays as well) and how he works. There are tidbits of gossip here and there, as well as an aspect of setting the record straight. His early life isn't covered very much at all, and I would have liked to have heard more about his relationship with his brother Terry. The book goes as recent as 2000. Overall a great read, but I am left with one question....am I really the only one out there who loved the "Glass Spider" album??? I thought it was great!!!

Buckley has slillfully juggled a proper critical distance with the evident enthusiasm of the long-time David Bowie fan. Quick to praise the highlights of his subject's career, he is equally adept at pricking the bubble of pomposity that has often surrounded Bowie, exposing his coke-addled rantings and deriding the leaden Tin Machine.

Believe me, I have read most of them. You can trust me: this is the best Bowie biography ever published. The only drawback is that his pre-1969 years are described rather superficiously. But once you get to "Space Oddity", you realize you're reading a worthy tome by a knowledgeable writer. Buckley is a long-time Bowie fan and he got to interview key people in David's career, most of whom were still associated with the singer at the time of writing (unlike other biographies, where only former associates are heard). But unlike some fans you may have met, Buckley has a critical, non-biased view of Bowie's life. While most biographers concentrate on secondary aspects and anecdotes, Buckley hits the nail in the head and takes you right through the spinal cord of David's career. Whether you're a diehard Bowie fan or a newcomer looking for information, this book is for you!

As far as music biogs go, this is top rate stuff. The Enz tale is told with great humour and sadness, with personal insights taking the reader along for the ride. Essential reading for anyone with an interest in Split Enz and the Finn Brothers, or indeed anyone who wants a realistic portrayal of the ups and downs of being in a band.

Unlike many band bios I've read, this book is written by a member of the band. Even so, Mike gives us the warts and all view of the life and times of Split Enz, written in a very personal and very readable way. A must for all Split Enz fans.

What a wonderful, magical book! This book takes you from Split Enz' humble beginnings to their humourous and sometimes disappointing travels abroad.

A thoroughly entertaining book on the New Zealand band that should have made it big overseas but always seemed to be a little ahead of their time with their original & magical music & fashion sense.

Very simply, there would be no Don Imus, Howard Stern or Tom Leykis had Lujack not proved first that crabbiness could win on the radio. Ruling the airwaves in Seattle when Imus was still a railroad worker, Lujack was belicose, sarcastic and witty between Beatles and Motown records. No library should be without it!

What did Larry scream into Paul Revere & The Raiders' dressing room? And WHY? Did he really share a billboard with a huge advertisement for Cruex? And not complain?

Larry Lujack describes the tornado that REAL control rooms are with real solid state equipment - no RCS or Scott Systems in 1970 - and cussing engineers, annoying salespeople and breaking equipment! He had cart machines and maybe an ITC r2r - and plenty of cigs. He brings the 70s radio world alive: what radio station people are like - what it was like to party with the pop stars and to nail down an intro while lighting another cigarette and taking another request from one or two of scores on hold as ter lights flash during the last ten seconds of his commercials -- he delivers insight into why radio management will never change - and why radio is such a scintillating, infuriating and beloved calling. Retired and playing golf in Arizona now, he ruled Chicago for years and this book is a MUST for any radio afficionado's collection.

Twenty years before Howard Stern's movie, there was Larry Lujack, "Superjock" on Chicago's WCFL-AM and WLS-AM during the Second City's radio wars. Lujack tells of his married life and radio family in true details, beginning with KFXM-AM in San Bernardino to his place in Chicago Radio History. A "ten". Mark Heller, Pres. WTRW Radio Two Rivers, WI