Book Description
With his characteristic investigative eye and Menckenesque prose,
R. Emmett Tyrrell Jr. sheds new light on Bill Clinton's post-presidential emotional depression, globe trotting and international deal-making, financial ties to China and the United Arab Emirates, ongoing womanizing, vital support role in Hillary Clinton's anticipated run for the White House, and possible role as America's first "First Man."
Customer Reviews:
Tyrell: American Sphincter.......2007-09-19
Moron Tyrell is yet another wingnut who can't accept that Clinton is gone. They must all have a secret yearning for Hillary in '08 to make their pathetic lives seem worthwhile. Maybe they're all in denial after seven years of G. W. Dumbass and the weekly scandals of his crooks and cronies.
Clinton Crackup.......2007-09-19
While I hated to see Clinton move into the presidency, and, of course, hated his actions even more following Lewinsky, it's a wonder that we still have a country at all. I most certainly would not buy anything that might give him (or her, for that matter) any type of grace, and only scanned the pages at a local bookstore. That was quite enough for me, thank you very much. Now, unfortunately, it looks as though Miseries Clinton might be our next president. Hold onto your wallets, people!
Well done - Emmett needs a thesaurus though.......2007-09-07
No secret that Tyrrell does not like the Clintons. Somehow, those supporting Clinton have a big problem with a book like this and have NO problem with books claiming Bush knew about 9/11, Bush is in tight with the Saudis, etc.
If nothing else, this book is VERY thorough. There were times when I was reading it that I thought "How did the editor let THAT stay in the book?"
Tyrrell has a habit of writing to an MBA level. Which I guess is ok but there are those of us who, while having a complete control of the English language, we don't feel the need to try to impress people with it.
So many times, I read this thinking the author could have used a different word to mean the same thing and not come across as high-brow. Bill Buckley can get away with - he's about the only one.
Bottom line - the book is solid reading, powerful, and damning to Bill and Hillary.
Too Much of the Clintons is Never Enough.......2007-08-30
Sure, the title is hyperbolic, the writing has little of that flinty incisiveness of muckrakers like Tarbell and Sinclair, a good deal of the material is old news, the editing could have been better, but, oh, what fun! For political junkies like me, Our Bill and his lovely Life Partner are simply the gifts that keep on giving. As the wide diversity and vigor of reviewers' reactions demonstrate, love 'em or hate 'em, they are simply fascinating.
Now, one can't expect the shenanigans of Post-Prez Bill to be as interesting as his time in the Oval Office if only because, for instance, there has bobbed to the surface no stained women's clothing--yet. Nonetheless, the mind reels and the spirit soars as Tyrrell not only revisits the low crimes and misde-wieners of the Clintons' time in the Arkansas governor's mansion and the White House, but takes us on a poignant tour of Our Bill's meanderings in the real world, i.e., the world where his only power derives from political suasion and the relentless pursuit of greater wealth. If nothing else, Tyrrell's listing of the President's last-minute pardons and commutations, complete with the crimes committed by those receiving those astonishing absolutions, is worth the price of admission. No one, least of all Bill himself, has ever explained or rationalized how these low-lives deserved legal reclamation, justifying the inevitable conclusion of critics then and now that they were exchanged for past, present, or future consideration, much of it brokered by the Clinton and Rodham siblings.
And then there's Hillary. Just as I conclude my reading, what breaks but another campaign contribution imbroglio involving The Hill. Turns out that Norman Hsu, one of the Mrs.'s large contributors for the last several years, is a wanted fugitive from California justice and is somehow related to the Paw family of Daly City, several members of whom have made contributions coincident with those of Mr. Hsu which may or may not have been illegally funded by the latter. Mr. Paw, also Chinese, is a mail carrier, and yet the family has somehow found 45 G's to give to The Hill. The eyes tear and the throat constricts with mirth as one of the Paw family members turns out to be named Winkle. (Does the Supreme Being stay up at night devising names for those involved in Clinton scandals, you know the rich Marc Rich, et al? Does Winkle have siblings named Blinkle and Nod? But I digress.)
Astute readers will recall that Our Bill had some problems with Chinese contributors during his reign. One might have thought that those painful experiences would have convinced the Clintons they should limit their Chinese contacts to calling for take-out, but I guess not.
I'm not saying your life won't be complete if you don't read this book, but I found it a very enjoyable meander through these troubled lives. Think of it as a between-meal snack as we await The Hill's nomination for the presidency. Then it can serve as a reference point for the inevitable--and entirely justified--dredging up of the Clinton scandals by the Hillary Haters. Pray with me to the political gods that all this comes to pass: it will be a great 2008!
The Clinton Crackup.......2007-08-23
I have read the book. Tyrell is a gifted writer who records the continuing docu-drama of Bill Clinton's life. Coming away from this book there is the sense of flawed personality aspects outweighing good ones. I,too, wonder why people continue to find Clinton viable, attractive and charming. He is much to be pitied. Are Bill and Hillary a sign of the times - the narcissistic epitome of anything goes?
What Bill does fascinates us all - some love him, some don't. He "is" a national security leak and the continuing saga confirms it. One thing the book makes clear - if you set your sights on a particular goal and then
work towards it you will achieve it. Bill and Hillary had been working a long time to achieve their ambition. Though he did not win by a majority, other forces helped in the achievement of Bill's amibition.
These 2 people are very focused individuals. The truth of their lives is appallingly clear. If we are a product of our times, what does that say
about the kind of people we elect to high office. And how did we get to this cultural state of affairs.
Book Description
You're not alone.
At any given moment, somewhere in the world someone struggles with the same software design problems you have. You know you don't want to reinvent the wheel (or worse, a flat tire), so you look to Design Patterns--the lessons learned by those who've faced the same problems. With Design Patterns, you get to take advantage of the best practices and experience of others, so that you can spend your time on...something else. Something more challenging. Something more complex. Something more fun.
You want to learn about the patterns that matter--why to use them, when to use them, how to use them (and when NOT to use them). But you don't just want to see how patterns look in a book, you want to know how they look "in the wild". In their native environment. In other words, in real world applications. You also want to learn how patterns are used in the Java API, and how to exploit Java's built-in pattern support in your own code.
You want to learn the real OO design principles and why everything your boss told you about inheritance might be wrong (and what to do instead). You want to learn how those principles will help the next time you're up a creek without a design pattern.
Most importantly, you want to learn the "secret language" of Design Patterns so that you can hold your own with your co-worker (and impress cocktail party guests) when he casually mentions his stunningly clever use of Command, Facade, Proxy, and Factory in between sips of a martini. You'll easily counter with your deep understanding of why Singleton isn't as simple as it sounds, how the Factory is so often misunderstood, or on the real relationship between Decorator, Facade and Adapter.
With Head First Design Patterns, you'll avoid the embarrassment of thinking Decorator is something from the "Trading Spaces" show. Best of all, in a way that won't put you to sleep! We think your time is too important (and too short) to spend it struggling with academic texts.
If you've read a Head First book, you know what to expect--a visually rich format designed for the way your brain works. Using the latest research in neurobiology, cognitive science, and learning theory, Head First Design Patterns will load patterns into your brain in a way that sticks. In a way that lets you put them to work immediately. In a way that makes you better at solving software design problems, and better at speaking the language of patterns with others on your team.
Customer Reviews:
Love it or Hate it and I hate it.......2007-10-03
I just felt the strong urge to write a review. I usually don't write reviews. My opinion about this book is either you will love it a lot or hate it to the core. I hated it. Their writing style is not conventional. So please go to a book store and read a few pages and see if you like this style of writing. Even though when I first read, I thought I liked it, I realized I don't like this style of writing for a technical book
Excellent learning style.......2007-09-26
I think the book is great for learning what it was written to teach. I found it easy to read and stay in its pages for a longer period of time. If you've read computer related books you know what I'm talking about. I would definitely recommend this book if you ware getting into design patterns and want to get a rock solid foundation. One consideration though, you really need to know something about Java or C#. If you are completely unfamiliar with OOP languages altogether, you might want to tackle that subject before this one.
Theory AND Practicality!.......2007-09-25
I flipped through this book to get a feel for how it will differ from other design patterns works. I immediately realized that the authors are taking a very accessible approach to teaching readers about patterns.
On an individual basis, the text is very accessible. It is written in an easy-to-read style. Instead of avoiding technical jargon, the text improves understanding and retention by coupling technical terms with humorous anecdotes and quips. This approach gives the feeling that design patterns are within reach (and they are) of even readers new to the concepts. It also serves as a built-in mnemonic tool.
The structure of pattern delivery seems to be intentional as well. In the rare case where a pattern is referenced without yet being described, it is almost always in the context of how the current pattern will prove useful in other scenarios. As such, the reader never feels lost. In fact, quite the opposite affect occurs. Readers should feel like they are following a logical approach to learning patterns.
Although it may seem, from the above comments, that the book is elementary, I assure you that even seasoned developers will find the book useful. Even if you know the material extremely well, you may find that the authors' descriptions are useful when teaching junior developers on your teams.
The book layout, like the rest of the book, is broad-reaching. Obviously, it is an instructional work. More than that, however, the book is also a teaching tool. It can easily be adapted by educators and trainers for classroom-style and one-on-one teaching. The book also serves as a workbook. There are exercises and notes pages throughout each chapter. Finally, the book serves me as a reference work as well. If I remember the gist of a pattern but not the specifics, it is easy to find examples and canonical references.
I absolutely love this style. I highly recommend this book for anyone wanting to learn patterns, refresh their existing patterns knowledge, or just take in a proverbial "breath of fresh air" to the stiff writing style of other books covering complex topics. I also feel that any of the "Head First" books are worth consideration. They provide accessible formats that promote learning.
I have to close this review by concurring with the authors in their note to the "Gang of Four". Seriously, when are we going to see another book? :)
A good choice.......2007-09-18
If you are working, if you don't have too much time to invert in learning, or if you feel that leraning something new is very difficult for you, then this book may help you. When i started reading it, the book traped me, and all that stuff (that the book does) to keep your atention focused works.
The book says on the first pages that there will be repeated things, with the purpose of helping you to GET the concepts, and not forGET them later. Besides that trick, there are other aids and ideas to achieve that (text written very near -or inside- images, exercises and more).
Exceptional good book.......2007-08-16
This is the first ever technical book I could not stop reading as much as I can...
Average customer rating:
- Firsst Rate
- When Minor Characters Get Leading Roles
- For the love of history
- Doesn't live up to its title
- Lincoln comes ALIVE....
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Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln
Doris Kearns Goodwin
Manufacturer: Simon & Schuster
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ASIN: 0743270754 |
Amazon.com
The life and times of Abraham Lincoln have been analyzed and dissected in countless books. Do we need another Lincoln biography? In Team of Rivals, esteemed historian Doris Kearns Goodwin proves that we do. Though she can't help but cover some familiar territory, her perspective is focused enough to offer fresh insights into Lincoln's leadership style and his deep understanding of human behavior and motivation. Goodwin makes the case for Lincoln's political genius by examining his relationships with three men he selected for his cabinet, all of whom were opponents for the Republican nomination in 1860: William H. Seward, Salmon P. Chase, and Edward Bates. These men, all accomplished, nationally known, and presidential, originally disdained Lincoln for his backwoods upbringing and lack of experience, and were shocked and humiliated at losing to this relatively obscure Illinois lawyer. Yet Lincoln not only convinced them to join his administration--Seward as secretary of state, Chase as secretary of the treasury, and Bates as attorney general--he ultimately gained their admiration and respect as well. How he soothed egos, turned rivals into allies, and dealt with many challenges to his leadership, all for the sake of the greater good, is largely what Goodwin's fine book is about. Had he not possessed the wisdom and confidence to select and work with the best people, she argues, he could not have led the nation through one of its darkest periods.
Ten years in the making, this engaging work reveals why "Lincoln's road to success was longer, more tortuous, and far less likely" than the other men, and why, when opportunity beckoned, Lincoln was "the best prepared to answer the call." This multiple biography further provides valuable background and insights into the contributions and talents of Seward, Chase, and Bates. Lincoln may have been "the indispensable ingredient of the Civil War," but these three men were invaluable to Lincoln and they played key roles in keeping the nation intact. --Shawn Carkonen
The Team of Rivals
| Team of Rivals doesn't just tell the story of Abraham Lincoln. It is a multiple biography of the entire team of personal and political competitors that he put together to lead the country through its greatest crisis. Here, Doris Kearns Goodwin profiles five of the key players in her book, four of whom contended for the 1860 Republican presidential nomination and all of whom later worked together in Lincoln's cabinet. |
 |
1. Edwin M. Stanton
Stanton treated Lincoln with utter contempt at their initial acquaintance when the two men were involved in a celebrated law case in the summer of 1855. Unimaginable as it might seem after Stanton's demeaning behavior, Lincoln offered him "the most powerful civilian post within his gift"--the post of secretary of war--at their next encounter six years later. On his first day in office as Simon Cameron's replacement, the energetic, hardworking Stanton instituted "an entirely new regime" in the War Department. After nearly a year of disappointment with Cameron, Lincoln had found in Stanton the leader the War Department desperately needed. Lincoln's choice of Stanton revealed his singular ability to transcend personal vendetta, humiliation, or bitterness. As for Stanton, despite his initial contempt for the man he once described as a "long armed Ape," he not only accepted the offer but came to respect and love Lincoln more than any person outside of his immediate family. He was beside himself with grief for weeks after the president's death.
2. Salmon P. Chase
Chase, an Ohioan, had been both senator and governor, had played a central role in the formation of the national Republican Party, and had shown an unflagging commitment to the cause of the black man. No individual felt he deserved the presidency as a natural result of his past contributions more than Chase himself, but he refused to engage in the practical methods by which nominations are won. He had virtually no campaign and he failed to conciliate his many enemies in Ohio itself. As a result, he alone among the candidates came to the convention without the united support of his own state. Chase never ceased to underestimate Lincoln, nor to resent the fact that he had lost the presidency to a man he considered his inferior. His frustration with his position as secretary of the treasury was alleviated only by his his dogged hope that he, rather than Lincoln, would be the Republican nominee in 1864, and he steadfastly worked to that end. The president put up with Chase's machinations and haughty yet fundamentally insecure nature because he recognized his superlative accomplishments at treasury. Eventually, however, Chase threatened to split the Republican Party by continuing to fill key positions with partisans who supported his presidential hopes. When Lincoln stepped in, Chase tendered his resignation as he had three times before, but this time Lincoln stunned Chase by calling his bluff and accepting the offer.
3. Abraham Lincoln
When Lincoln won the Republican presidential nomination in 1860 he seemed to have come from nowhere--a backwoods lawyer who had served one undistinguished term in the House of Representatives and lost two consecutive contests for the U.S. Senate. Contemporaries attributed his surprising nomination to chance, to his moderate position on slavery, and to the fact that he hailed from the battleground state of Illinois. But Lincoln's triumph, particularly when viewed against the efforts of his rivals, owed much to a remarkable, unsuspected political acuity and an emotional strength forged in the crucible of hardship and defeat. That Lincoln, after winning the presidency, made the unprecedented decision to incorporate his eminent rivals into his political family, the cabinet, was evidence of an uncanny self-confidence and an indication of what would prove to others a most unexpected greatness.
4. William H. Seward
A celebrated senator from New York for more than a decade and governor of his state for two terms before going to Washington, Seward was certain he was going to receive his party's nomination for president in 1860. The weekend before the convention in Chicago opened he had already composed a first draft of the valedictory speech he expected to make to the Senate, assuming that he would resign his position as soon as the decision in Chicago was made. His mortification at not having received the nomination never fully abated, and when he was offered his cabinet post as secretary of state he intended to have a major role in choosing the remaining cabinet members, conferring upon himself a position in the new government more commanding than that of Lincoln himself. He quickly realized the futility of his plan to relegate the president to a figurehead role. Though the feisty New Yorker would continue to debate numerous issues with Lincoln in the years ahead, exactly as Lincoln had hoped and needed him to do, Seward would become his closest friend, advisor, and ally in the administration. More than any other cabinet member Seward appreciated Lincoln's peerless skill in balancing factions both within his administration and in the country at large.
5. Edward Bates
A widely respected elder statesman, a delegate to the convention that framed the Missouri Constitution, and a former Missouri congressman whose opinions on national matters were still widely sought, Bates's ambitions for political success were gradually displaced by love for his wife and large family, and he withdrew from public life in the late 1840s. For the next 20 years he was asked repeatedly to run or once again accept high government posts but he consistently declined. However in early 1860, with letters and newspaper editorials advocating his candidacy crowding in upon him, he decided to try for the highest office in the land. After losing to Lincoln he vowed, in his diary, to decline a cabinet position if one were to be offered, but with the country "in trouble and danger" he felt it was his duty to accept when Lincoln asked him to be attorney general. Though Bates initially viewed Lincoln as a well-meaning but incompetent administrator, he eventually concluded that the president was an unmatched leader, "very near being a 'perfect man.'" |
The Essential Doris Kearns Goodwin
Wait Till Next Year: A Memoir |
No Ordinary Time: Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt: The Home Front in World War II |
Lyndon Johnson and the American Dream |
More New Reading on the Civil War
Lincoln's Melancholy: How Depression Challenged a President and Fueled His Greatness by Joshua Wolf Shenk |
Grant and Sherman: The Friendship That Won the Civil War by Charles Bracelen Flood |
The March: A Novel by E.L. Doctorow |
Book Description
This brilliant multiple biography is centered on Lincoln's mastery of men and how it shaped the most significant presidency in the nation's history.
Customer Reviews:
Firsst Rate.......2007-09-25
Well written, captivating. Brings to life Lincoln's great intellect and personality. Facinating detailed character development of Lincoln's rivals and his attempts to heal and unify.
When Minor Characters Get Leading Roles.......2007-09-18
The Civil War is America's great epic story and Abraham Lincoln is our great national hero. It is a beautiful story almost perfect in its every detail. Consequently, it has been told many times in the one hundred and forty two years since its conclusion. Doris Kearns Goodwin needed to find a new angle in order to write her Lincoln biography. Her take was to write a group of biography of Lincoln and the men who formed his War Cabinet.
For her approach to work, relatively minor characters must be elevated to leading roles. The Civil War is such a compelling story with so many memorable characters. While reading this book, I had to wonder why Kearns Goodwin devoted so many pages to Edward Bates' early legal career or Kate Chase's social life. The pages she devotes to them, takes away from more important characters and events.
This is a very long book and it takes some measure of fortitude to finish it. Although, I had to wonder about Kearns Goodwin's focus on these relatively minor characters, I stuck with the book because she is such a strong writer. You would have to be a very hard person not to tear up while reading her description of Lincoln's last day. In the final analysis, Doris Kearns Goodwin is up to the task of re-telling our great national story. Recommended.
For the love of history.......2007-08-29
I loved this book. Doris Kearns Goodwin is an excellent writer, she did 10 years of research before writing this book. She makes you feel as if you are there. You find out what a brilliant man Lincoln was and how he surrounded himself with men who were not always his strongest supporters. I did not want it to end.
Doesn't live up to its title.......2007-08-24
The book is very well written and the writer is--of course--extremely reliable. My only complaint is that it's not what it claims to be. I was expecting an in-depth report on how Lincoln molded this group of men into a real team--sort of a "Lincoln on Leadership," for the 21st century. I was hoping for all kinds of insights and practical, homespun wisdom. But instead it was simply a history of his administration. So in spite of how well written and thoroughly researched it was, I was disappointed.
Lincoln comes ALIVE...........2007-08-22
I read practically everything I can get my hands on about Lincoln, and Kearns-Goodwin has contributed the best book on him yet. Today, when Abe appears on everything from our most cherished monuments to our money, the perception of him has reached mythical proportions. We might continue to view our 16th President as so much granite on Mr Rushmore if not for the rendering of him by Doris Kearns-Goodwin. As she did for the Roosevelt's earlier in No Ordinary Time, she does for Lincoln (and those around him)in Team of Rivals. She brings Lincoln and his world alive, chips away the granite to show us the flesh and bones Lincoln struggling to gain a consensus for his efforts to save the Union by placing all his rivals in his cabinet. The sentiment, "Keep your friends close and your enemies closer" has never been put into play more skillfully than it was by Lincoln. William Seaward, Solomon P. Chase and the others made no secret of their desire for his job; yet, President Lincoln convinced them to lend their considerable skills toward winning the war. It was a goal that Lincoln never lost sight of. Together he, and his "rivals" took the Union to total victory in the war in which EVERY casualty was an American casualty. While they worked to achieve the victorious end, the cabinet bickered, connived, and tried to advance their own "just" cause: Themselves. All of this makes for great reading, but it is Lincoln, with his tormented determination to WIN at all costs which helps explain why he is considered the Greatest of our presidents; granted, he had help from an extraordinary team of rivals. Kearns-Goodwin relates it all in a way that lets us see the man and his men behind the myth. The reader, in fact, becomes part of the political, military, and human struggle in an unprecedented way. I loved this book.
Average customer rating:
- Excellent strategies
- This Is Not the Life I Ordered: 50 Ways to Keep Your Head Above Water When Life Keeps Dragging You Down
- It's Not About Being Average
- Did I read the same book as the rest of you?
- If You're a Woman, You Need This Book!
|
This Is Not the Life I Ordered: 50 Ways to Keep Your Head Above Water When Life Keeps Dragging You Down
Deborah Collins Stephens ,
Michealene Cristini Risley ,
Jackie Speier , and
Jan Yanehiro
Manufacturer: Conari Press
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Binding: Hardcover
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Book Description
This Is Not the Life I Ordered is for anyone who has ever felt overworked, overwhelmed, or just plain unlucky (and, who hasn't?!). Through this collection of stories, wisdom, and practical advice, readers will meet four ordinary women who have faced extraordinary life challenges. Together, they have a history of six marriages, ten children, four stepchildren, six dogs, two miscarriages, two cats, a failed adoption, and foster parenthood. Two have lived through the death of their spouses and one was shot and left for dead on a tarmac in Guyana -- which is documented in "Jonestown" airing on PBS' American Experience
This book started simply with four friends getting together for "kitchen-table coaching sessions" to talk about their lives. Week by week and story by story, they realized their great advice to each other could help other women struggling with life's myriad issues of work, family, and love, as well as the big questions of life and death. For over a decade, the power and strength of their collective friendship enabled these women not only to survive but to thrive. They invite readers to join them to learn how they, too, can turn "misfortunate" events into joy-filled opportunities. Readers will want to share this book with every woman in their lives!
* Authors are best-selling business-book author, Deborah Collins Stephens; Emmy winner Jan Yanehiro; State Senator Jackie Speier; and entrepreneur Michealene Cristini Risley whose Flashcards was screened at last year's Cannes Film Festival.
* Authors' support circle includes Debbi Fields, Kristi Yamaguchi, Danielle Steele, Gerry Laybourne, and other power women.
* Features practical "Wit (Women in Transition) Kit" tips at the end of each chapter to help readers to be their own life coaches.
Customer Reviews:
Excellent strategies.......2007-09-12
I found this book to be very helpful as I tried to navigate through a very difficult time in my life. It gave real examples of situations that were much worse than my own, and provided practical ideas for moving forward.
This Is Not the Life I Ordered: 50 Ways to Keep Your Head Above Water When Life Keeps Dragging You Down.......2007-08-14
This book is so inspirational! One of the best books I have read! I highly recommend it to all women and men. I plan on getting copies for my family and women friends. Thanks ladies for sharing your life stories and the stories of so many different and unique women. You are all an inspiration! God Bless
It's Not About Being Average.......2007-08-10
Let's face it - we all come to a point where we think, "This is not what I wanted out of life." This book is for anyone who is at that point or has experienced a personal tragedy that has continued to haunt them. Anyone could read this and instantly identify the vast gap between the average American woman and the authors whose personal stories are shared within its pages, but the point of the book is not to point out who has it worse when dealing with bad situations (a new widow in suburbia or a cmpany executive losing a 6-figure income). The point is actually to give you an idea of just how bad things can be and how you can rise above anything. The basic information provided in the "action steps" apply to just about any situation. There are fantastic motivational quotes throughout and excellent ideas for how to pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and get going again, no matter what your circumstances. Even if you are feeling negative and pessimistic, this book can help you find positivity and optimism from those people and places that already surround you. I have recommended this book to several friends who have already read and enjoyed it just as much as I did. I returned mine to the library and promptly bought my own copy (as well as a few extras for gifts)!
Did I read the same book as the rest of you?.......2007-07-30
I stumbled across this book while doing research for a book I am writing. I actually wanted to use the same title for a collection of humorous essays, and then felt compelled to read this one. I am only halfway through it and am exhausted from slogging through the overabundance of headings and subheadings in each chapter, the overuse of quotations, and the endless posturing and patronizing from unrelatable situations that so few women will ever face - shot in South America while disbanding a cult, crying over the loss of a $200,000 job, escaping the Khmer Rouge. How is an average American woman supposed to connect with these stories? I am sure every woman mentioned in this book is courageous, intelligent and generous. But the disjointed writing and sloppy editing make it a chore to find their true essence and a message to carry with me. I had such high hopes for this book. I am glad now that I merely borrowed it from the library rather than purchased it. I do enjoy the cartoons, though.
If You're a Woman, You Need This Book!.......2007-07-18
I just finished reading "This is Not the Life I Ordered," by Deborah Collins Stephens, Jackie Speier, Michealene Cristini Risley and Jan Yanehiro and all I can say is get this book!
This book touches every human aspect possible and carves out a whole new way of looking at life. It shows the power of connecting with women on all levels. These four authors weave in their life stories as well as countless other women's life stories into a book that will become your inspiration to get through the hard times, define your life, enrich the lives of others and live your life to the fullest.
It's the kind of book that you will buy for your friends so you can connect with them on a newer, deeper level.
It's the kind of book that you will read over and over again to receive a renewed strength, sense of self and desire to do more, be more and have more.
Amazon.com
It has taken four years, but with Head First Java the introductory Java book category has finally come of age. This is an excellent book, far more capable than any of the scores of Java-for-novices books that have come before it. Kathy Sierra and Bert Bates deserve rich kudos--and big sales--for developing this book's new way of teaching the Java programming language, because any reader with even a little bit of discipline will come away with true understanding of how the language works. Perhaps best of all, this is no protracted "Hello, World" introductory guide. Readers get substantial exposure to object-oriented design and implementation, serialization, neatwork programming, threads, and Remote Method Invocation (RMI).
Key to the authors' teaching style are carefully designed graphics. Rather than explain class inheritance (to cite one example) primarily with text, the authors use a series of tree diagrams that clarify the mechanism far more succinctly. The diagrams are carefully annotated with arrows and notes. Also characteristic of the unique teaching strategy is heavy reliance on exercises, in which the reader is asked to complete partial classes, write whole new code segments and do design work. Though there's little discussion of why the exercises' correct answers are what they are, it's clear that the practice work was carefully designed to reinforce the lesson at hand. If you've waited this long to give Java a try, this book is a great choice. --David Wall
Topics covered: The Java programming language for people with no Java experience, and even people with no programming experience at all. Key concepts read like a list of Java features: Object oriented design, variable type and scope, object properties and methods, inheritance and polymorphism, exceptions, graphical user interfaces (GUIs), network connectivity, Java archives (JAR files), and Remote Method Invocation (RMI).
Book Description
Learning a complex new language is no easy task especially when it s an object-oriented computer programming language like Java. You might think the problem is your brain. It seems to have a mind of its own, a mind that doesn't always want to take in the dry, technical stuff you're forced to study.
The fact is your brain craves novelty. It's constantly searching, scanning, waiting for something unusual to happen. After all, that's the way it was built to help you stay alive. It takes all the routine, ordinary, dull stuff and filters it to the background so it won't interfere with your brain's real work--recording things that matter. How does your brain know what matters? It's like the creators of the Head First approach say, suppose you're out for a hike and a tiger jumps in front of you, what happens in your brain? Neurons fire. Emotions crank up. Chemicals surge.
That's how your brain knows.
And that's how your brain will learn Java. Head First Java combines puzzles, strong visuals, mysteries, and soul-searching interviews with famous Java objects to engage you in many different ways. It's fast, it's fun, and it's effective. And, despite its playful appearance, Head First Java is serious stuff: a complete introduction to object-oriented programming and Java. You'll learn everything from the fundamentals to advanced topics, including threads, network sockets, and distributed programming with RMI. And the new. second edition focuses on Java 5.0, the latest version of the Java language and development platform. Because Java 5.0 is a major update to the platform, with deep, code-level changes, even more careful study and implementation is required. So learning the Head First way is more important than ever.
If you've read a Head First book, you know what to expect--a visually rich format designed for the way your brain works. If you haven't, you're in for a treat. You'll see why people say it's unlike any other Java book you've ever read.
By exploiting how your brain works, Head First Java compresses the time it takes to learn and retain--complex information. Its unique approach not only shows you what you need to know about Java syntax, it teaches you to think like a Java programmer. If you want to be bored, buy some other book. But if you want to understand Java, this book's for you.
Customer Reviews:
Excelent Book with Innovative Approach to Learning.......2007-09-26
I found this book to have a very interesting and efficient approach to help memorize the content. Pictures and labels in or near the picture makes it fun and easy to read unlike other boring 600+ page technology books. I would recommend it.
Great Tutorial Guide for Beginning Java Programmers.......2007-08-25
This book is just plain FUN and easy to read, whether you plan on becoming a professional Java programmer or just want to know what "object-oriented" programming is all about. It is filled with humor and plain language explanations of Java concepts, including loads of examples. Its greatest value, in my opinion, is as a tutorial approach to Java newcomers.
Head First Java is NOT a good reference book though, so don't buy it if that's what you need! The index is missing many common references to ordinary Java concepts so it is difficult to look up how to do something and find instructions, unless it's something extremely mainstream.
That said, this is by far the best book I've ever seen of its kind. If you have the time to actually read through the book and do the exercises, you will come away with an excellent foundation in Java programming. Each exercise (most of which are games) begins with a conceptual explanation, followed by a "prepcode" version (the program written in a combination of English and actual code), and finally as a real Java program. The authors have gone to the trouble of labelling each line of "real" code with an explanation of what it does. They have anticipated users' questions and answered them. They occasionally leave bugs in a program deliberately, so that you can see the error message and then receive a thorough description of why it occurred and how to fix it. Excellent!!!
Head First Java, 2nd addition is a must have........2007-08-16
I'd like to say a few words about Head First Java, 2nd Edition by Kathy Sierra and Bert Bates. Teamed with their publisher, "O'Reilly Media, Inc.", they were extremely successful at producing a book of high technical value, worthy entertainment, and having the virtues of a true certification aid.
Technical value: From learning the core fundamental Java features to truly understanding the inner working or Stacks and Heaps, you'll find this book a valuable reference regardless of the assignment or task you are working on.
Worthy Entertainment: Most books put you to sleep, this book keeps you awake. From parameterized duck sizes to polymorphic hippos, the book is filled with entertaining diagrams, examples and exercises. One will find him/herself revisiting the chapters just for the fun on it.
Certification Aid: Sun Microsystems lists this book as a "Supporting Material" for their Sun Certified (Java) Associate for the Java Platform Exam (CX-310-019). As president of the Tech Center Java User Group, supporting the field of aviation in Southern New Jersey, I can vouch for members of our group who have achieved this SCJA certification with assistance from this book, including myself. Our group gives Head First Java, 2nd Edition a total of (5 out of 5) Stars.
All in all, I consider this Head First Java, 2nd Edition's a must-have. Its catalog page is at http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/hfjava2/ and its retail price is $44.95.
Robert J. Liguori, President
Tech Center Java User Group
Good book for beginners.......2007-08-08
Great book to read if you are new to Java. I like the way they explain the concepts which makes it easy to understand. Its best to start learning Java with this book.
Fun intro to Java programming.......2007-07-12
I was completely new to Java programming and this book made understanding the Object Oriented programming with Java fun and interesting. The exercises included in each chapter were very helpful.
Book Description
Have you ever felt like you were working on a seething mass of bits? Even worse, was it _your_ code? Or have you worked on a project that started out simply enough, but ended up a nest of twisty passages that nobody could navigate?
Surviving until the next bug report isn't fun, isn't fulfilling, and just isn't a good way to live. Fortunately, there's a way out. Head First Objects shows you how to analyze, design, and write serious object-oriented software: software that's easy to maintain and extend, software that doesn't hurt your head, software that lets you add new features without breaking the old ones.
You'll learn:
- How to put fundamental OO _design principles_ and _patterns_ into practice
- How to _refactor_ your code so that it's easy to maintain and extend
- How to write _reuseable code_, so you don't have to repeat yourself
- How to use UML 2 to _describe_ how your software works
Have you stayed away from Object Oriented Programming because you thought it would put you to sleep? Because it sounded like it was fun only to pointy-headed geeks? Don't worry. If you've read a Head First book, you know what to expect: a book designed for the way your brain works. Expect to have fun, expect to learn, expect to help Trini build the ultimate online salad boutique.
Customer Reviews:
A good book is made of good stories - and that is the case.......2007-09-23
I have already read quite a lot of Head First Series books. I have to admit that I have already been a little bit tired by almost the same pictures in all the Head First books. So after long pause I have decided to open the book. I was positively surprised I have found very good stories explaining main aspects of OOAD in real world. You can read the book even on sundays afternoon instead of some novels. It teaches you OOAD basics (and even a lot more) by nonintrusive method. Before reading the book I recommmend to think about Head First Design Patterns too.
Could be only 30 pages; has good topics.......2007-08-30
I have read this book after Head First Design Patterns and I expected a similar level, but I am disappointed a little. This book has good topics and it is good for start, but I think that the useful information in it could be told in 30 pages instead of almost six hundred.
Great Book, very easy to learn.......2007-08-25
I already know the family Head First and this one specially is very important in every Object Oriented developer. Very easy to study and learn with this book.
for the beginner's beginner.......2007-07-15
I was quite disappointed with this one. Way, way too much fluff. I kind of liked the "fluff" on the Head First Design Patterns - because design patterns is a hard topic and it helped. But for this one? Gosh, that doggy door use-case example got _really_ boring after 50 pages, I was withering in pain. This book is for the absolute beginner. Professionals and CS grads might want to stay away from this.
Good Book, Bad Title.......2007-06-29
Fine enough book, but in case you were hoping for a book on Business Systems Analysis and Design using Object Oriented Techniques... this is not it. Should be Re-named to "Head First Object-Oriented SOFTWARE Analysis and Design in Java". Did this book really need to be so programming language dependant??
Book Description
Tired of reading HTML books that only make sense after you're an expert? Then it's about time you picked up Head First HTML with CSS & XHTML and really learned HTML. You want to learn HTML so you can finally create those web pages you've always wanted, so you can communicate more effectively with friends, family, fans, and fanatic customers. You also want to do it right so you can actually maintain and expand your Web pages over time, and so your web pages work in all the browsers and mobile devices out there. Oh, and if you've never heard of CSS, that's okay - we won't tell anyone you're still partying like it's 1999 - but if you're going to create Web pages in the 21st century then you'll want to know and understand CSS.
Learn the real secrets of creating Web pages, and why everything your boss told you about HTML tables is probably wrong (and what to do instead). Most importantly, hold your own with your co-worker (and impress cocktail party guests) when he casually mentions how his HTML is now strict, and his CSS is in an external style sheet.
With Head First HTML with CSS & XHTML, you'll avoid the embarrassment of thinking web-safe colors still matter, and the foolishness of slipping a font tag into your pages. Best of all, you'll learn HTML and CSS in a way that won't put you to sleep. If you've read a Head First book, you know what to expect: a visually-rich format designed for the way your brain works. Using the latest research in neurobiology, cognitive science, and learning theory, this book will load HTML, CSS, and XHTML into your brain in a way that sticks.
So what are you waiting for? Leave those other dusty books behind and come join us in Webville. Your tour is about to begin.
"Elegant design is at the core of every chapter here, each concept conveyed with equal doses of pragmatism and wit." --Ken Goldstein, Executive Vice President, Disney Online
"This book is a thoroughly modern introduction to forward-looking practices in web page markup and presentation." --Danny Goodman, author of Dynamic HTML: The Definitive Guide
"What used to be a long trial and error learning process has now been reduced neatly into an engaging paperback." --Mike Davidson, CEO, Newsvine, Inc.
"I love Head First HTML with CSS & XHTML--it teaches you everything you need to learn in a 'fun coated' format!" --Sally Applin, UI Designer and Artist
"I haven't had as much fun reading a book (other than Harry Potter) in years. And your book finally helped me break out of my hapless so-last-century way of creating web pages." --Professor David M. Arnow, Department of Computer and Information Science, Brooklyn College
"If you've ever had a family member who wanted you to design a website for them, buy them Head First HTML with CSS and XHTML. If you've ever asked a family member to design you a web site, buy this book. If you've ever bought an HTML book and ended up using it to level your desk, or for kindling on a cold winter day, buy this book. This is the book you've been waiting for. This is the learning system you've been waiting for." --Warren Kelly, Blogcritics.org
Customer Reviews:
A Book that Really Delivers.......2007-10-03
Head First HTML with CSS & XHTML is well crafted to give you full insight into how and why these technologies work. In addition it holds your attention with interesting and useful tutorials. I have recommended this book to a number of other people. The Head First & Head Rush series really integrate all of the learning styles into their books to create a better learning experience than most of the classes that I have attended thru high school, college and grad school. GREAT JOB!!!
Get it, you WON'T be sorry!.......2007-10-01
This book was (1) of (3) recommended for an online class in CSS & XHTML. I bought (2) of the (3).
This one is the BEST out of the ones I bought!
Not just a tech manual, it's DEFINITELY made for those of us who learned HTML and need to upgrade our skills (like me!).
This book is informative, interesting, intelligent, and FUN! There are crossword puzzles, color pictures, diagrams, and EXCELLENT examples!! There are also online files for the exercises, and resource links from the "parent" site.
Wonderful work! I highly recommend this over all other manuals!
A useful and excelllent guide.......2007-09-25
Get an account on a LINUX server, create public_html, and learn some vi. Then get this book and learn the right way to get onto the web. Pay especial attention to XHTML and learn to use the validators to impose discipline on your HTML. You will have fast-loading pages. You will quickly learn the vagaries of CSS and have fully modern pages. Buy this book.
Excellent: effective and enjoyable way to learn.......2007-09-23
I am about 1/3 of the way through the book. It takes you step by step through the process and is actually fun. I have started a couple of other HTML books and failed to learn HTML. After a few hours with this book, I can definitely knock out simple web pages and I still have 2/3 of the book to go.
Teach your co-workers how and why to use web standards.......2007-09-23
First, let me say: this book is NOT pants.
I am a frontend engineer for one of the world's top 5 web companies. Even at such a company, I frequently encounter backend engineers and content producers who don't know the first thing about semantic markup, CSS presentation layers, or unobtrusive Javascript. The result with engineers is a constant battle to keep content, presentation and functionality separate. With content producers, we end up with articles that are completely non reusable -- they would quickly break if the page context within which they are embedded changes.
This book helps me bridge that gap of understanding. It speaks in easy to understand language, utilises lots of colour pictures, and more or less holds the reader's hand through what could otherwise be an insurmountable topic. Even if someone only makes it through a couple of chapters, if they've any intelligence at all, they'll grasp the basics of what you've been trying to tell them.
If you're a frontend web engineer, this book absolutely belongs on your shelf for people to borrow.
Book Description
It is published to coincide with "Colors for Modern Fashion" and it is necessary to discuss some of the aspects of the new book to understand the changes in this one. This new edition of "9 Heads" is the re-statement of the author's approach to the subject of black and white drawings, incorporating the most developed thinking and views, both in terms of what the end product should look like, and how best to achieve it. "9 Heads" also presents a different style of finished drawing, one where figures are usually more fleshed-out and where garment fabrics are more rendered than in the drawings of the previous edition. This edition has been extended in scope as that together with "Colors for Modern Fashion" the two books constitute all the elements of modern fashion drawing from Beginners through to Advanced.
In-depth treatment in men's fashion. More serious treatment of children's fashion. Completely revised and expanded chapter on drawing clothing on the figure. New chapter on fabrics shows how to make drawings so the fabrics can be identified from the drawing. New appendix with hundreds of flats of modern garments. Quality of the drawing is far higher than the other books on the market.
Ideal for those who have no previous formal training in drawing and who have a need to learn the basics of fashion drawing quickly.
Customer Reviews:
GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRREAT BOOK.......2007-10-03
This book is a must have for anyone who is seriosly into Fashion Illustration. I do some of my teaching with it, and students go crazy over the simplicity of the explanations.
9 Heads.......2007-07-07
This book is a must have for anyone who wants to learn to draw human figures or wants to go into fashion design. The language is easy to understand and the results are great. Your drawing skills improve and your drawings become more realistic. A must have for artists and future fashion designers.
9 Heads is the best.......2007-01-12
Great book for fashion illustration beginners and an excellent book for anyone with fashion illustration/art experience. Glossy pages,rendering,shading folds etc,. Up to date illustration sketches; many sketched poses,and flats in this book. My classmates were borrowing this book from me during class. You won't regret this purchase. This book is really heavy;Cover is made cheap. The front cover has fragile thick plastic corners that tear.
9 Heads book.......2007-01-04
This was a gift for my daughter. This item came very quickly and in really good shape for being used. My daughter is a talented woman and she has designed clothes since she was 5 yrs old. This book is incredible for her to continue her gift and talent in designing.
Best sketching book out there!!.......2006-12-23
I was really weary of buying this book because of the price, but I actually got it for a discounted price and it's SO worth it. It's a huge book and this new edition includes chapters on men and children. Personally I got it because I'm applying to F.I.T in NYC and I need help with my sketching skills (I have none). I found this book to be the best that I have seen and it has helped me so much. The instructions and the "9 heads" theory (9 heads make up the human body) are very simple and easy to understand. I love that she uses the "box" method to help you draw faces. I have never been an artist and this book helped me to draw some fabulous fashion sketches. SO worth the money if you really need to learn to sketch for fashion design.
Book Description
As Adrian Goldsworthy writes in the introduction to this book, “in his fifty-six years, Caesar was at times many things, including a fugitive, prisoner, rising politician, army leader, legal advocate, rebel, dictator . . . as well as husband, father, lover and adulterer.” In this landmark biography, Goldsworthy examines all of these roles and places his subject firmly within the context of Roman society in the first century B.C.
Tracing the extraordinary trajectory of Caesar’s life from birth through assassination, Goldsworthy covers not only Caesar’s accomplishments as charismatic orator, conquering general, and powerful dictator but also lesser-known chapters during which he was high priest of an exotic cult, captive of pirates, seducer not only of Cleopatra but also of the wives of his two main political rivals, and rebel condemned by his own country. Ultimately, Goldsworthy realizes the full complexity of Caesar’s character and shows why his political and military leadership continues to resonate some two thousand years later.
Customer Reviews:
Where is Caesar when we need him today?.......2007-09-19
What a great read! I took this to the beach over the summer, and enjoyed it thoroughly. How easy it is for us in our "modern world" to become numb to the fact that understanding the past gives us invaluable perspective on the present. How would Caesar fare up in debate with Obama and Rudy? That would be worthy of TV ratings for sure.
Caesar: Hero or Villain?.......2007-09-16
Caius Julius Caesar was a polarizing figure in his own day and probably could be considered one today as well. Adrian Goldsworthy's Caesar: Life of a Colossus provides a balanced, detailed, and highly readable biography of one of the most important figures in history. Rather than summarize and critique Goldsworthy's book, this review will examine the questions: Why was Caesar such a divisive figure? and On balance, was he a hero or a villain?
Let's try to summarize what his detractors and supporters might have said.
His detractors might have said:
1. Caesar destroyed the Roman Republic by seizing power in the Civil War.
2. He started the Civil War when he crossed the Rubicon and invaded Italy with the goal of establishing himself in a position of absolute power.
3. He slaughtered thousands in the Gallic and Civil Wars.
4. Throughout his career, he sought the support of the plebs in a populist and demagogic manner as a means of reaching his goal of absolute power.
His supporters might have said:
1. The Republic had become increasingly dysfunctional since the time of the Gracchi (133 BC). Consuls were murdered by members of the Senate. The consulship had all too frequently been filled based on the use or threat of military power.
2. The Republic with its multiple magistracies elected annually was fine for the Roman City State for which it was created but was an ineffective governmental structure for ruling a vast empire.
3. As a military commander, Caesar often sought peaceful settlements in order to avoid combat. In this, he was often successful in the Gallic War. His failure to peacefully resolve the Civil War was largely due to Pompey's refusal to negotiate.
4. Caesar showed a degree of clemency for defeated enemies that was uncharacteristic of his era. After the Civil War, Caesar, unlike Sulla, did not institute mass proscriptions and seizures of property. Had Caesar lost the Civil War, his adversary, Pompey, would most likely not have been so forgiving.
5. Once he had attained power, Caesar's laws and policies were generally wise. For the most part, his enemies opposed them not on principle but because Caesar had proposed and implemented them outside of the established legislative process.
6. Caesar's enemies were a small group of aristocrats who sought to maintain their exclusive hold on power and feared that Caesar would break that hold.
7. Caesar invaded Italy only after this cabal sought to end his career by denying him the right to stand as a candidate for the consulship.
Well, I guess I have now revealed my own position on Caesar, but don't take my word for it. Read Goldsworthy's book and draw your own conclusion.
Exceptional biography of the First Citizen of Rome.......2007-09-16
Caesar's Rome was a place where political factions seemed to be at constant war with each other. It's a wonder that the Republic of Rome survived as long as it did considering all of the assassinations, battles and debates that raged within the Republic that based its society on a vague set of rules and a very loosely structured bureaucracy which would use gangs as well as violence to persuade lawmakers to do "the right thing".
Goldsworthy provides us with information about what is known about Caesar also documenting the often contradictory sources that exist on his actions and what Roman society thought of him as a leader. The author provides us a context with a brief history of Rome as well as background on the various factions that tried to lead the Roman Republic and their various conflicts. All of these helped shape who Caesar was in his outlook about Roman society, plans and his ambitions as well. The author also gives us a brief summary of Caesar's family history because, again, understanding where he came from ultimately helps us understand his view of himself and place within Roman society and the world.
Goldsworthy's book is well written with a view to enlightening both those interested in history and the lay reader as well. His accessible style doesn't lean too much on overwhelming the reader with too much detail (a flaw that can, in the wrong hands, make a biography didactic and boring to the average reader)but focuses, instead, on engaging the reader in what Roman society was like, why rituals were important and what the various positions within Roman government were responsible for. He also turns a keen eye on the transformation of Rome from a Republic into a dictatorship by Caesar that would endure for generations with Augustus Octavian Caesar's children (including Nero the last of the Juli to be a descendant of Julius Caesar).
Illustrated with pictures of busts of those discussed in the text, drawings, pictures of Roman ruins and the sites where Caesar engaged in battle, Adrian Goldsworthy's book provides readers unfamiliar with Roman society just enough background on the politics and history of the society so that Caesar's story makes sense. This is a very good biography that manages to put Caesar's accomplishments into perspective and also gives us a pretty good sense of what he was like as a man.
Do we really need another book on Caesar? Yes, we do.......2007-09-14
In his new book Caesar : Life of a Colossus, Adrian Goldsworthy writes:
"Part of the fascination with Caesar is because he is so difficult to pin down and because mysteries remain, for instance, as to what he really intended in the last months of his life. In his fifty-six years he was at times many things, including a fugitive, prisoner, rising politician, army leader, legal advocate, rebel, dictator - perhaps even a god - as well as a husband, father, lover and adulterer. Few fictional heroes have ever done as much as Caius Julius Caesar."
The author explores all this with a full and detailed biography. Being the military historian he is, he especially shines when it comes to Caesar's military exploits.
While not minimizing Caesar's faults, Mr. Goldsworthy sees him as "a patriot and very able man." He cannot disguise his admiration for the man, and "[whatever] the rights or wrongs of his actions, it is hard to imagine that in any way his life could have been more dramatic," taking up the theme from the Introduction. He has given the reader a complex and rounded portrait. The general audience, for whom the book is intended, gets its money's worth and hopefully will enjoy the book.
The question, "do we really need another book on Caesar?," can be answered in the affirmative, as a popular history treatment of the subject has been wanting for quite a while, and this one fills the bill.
In the end though, Caesar still remains difficult to pin down, not for want of trying by the author, but because of his truly elusive personality.
The book is nicely illustrated with photos, maps, and battle diagrams. It has the prevailing and annoying habit of publishers not linking the endnotes to the page numbers.
The Definitive Biography? Maybe........2007-08-26
When you consider all the historical figures of the Western World, few would be bigger than Julius Caesar. How big was he? When you consider all the months of the year (and even all the days of the week), only two are named after actual people: July, after Caesar, and August, after Caesar's adopted son Octavian, also known as Augustus. In fact, the solar calendar itself (365 days every three years, followed by 366 in the fourth), was instituted by Caesar, and as Rome went, so went the known world. Caesar's name would become synonymous with leadership, even up to a hundred years ago, with the titles Kaiser and Tsar derived from his name.
Adrian Goldsworthy's biography details Caesar's rise from a youth with a noble name but little wealth or power to back it up to the absolute ruler of the Roman Republic. It would be Caesar who would initiate the transformation of the Republic to the Empire, a process that Augustus would complete. But as Goldsworthy argues, even around the time of Caesar's birth, the Republican structure of government was beginning to fall apart, with people like Marius and Sulla seizing power for better or for worse.
Caesar would spend the early part of his life playing the political game well, getting important patrons and rising in the ranks to the top spot of consul. After his consulship, he would have a successful military career, but when his rivals and enemies tried to oppose him, events would lead to a civil war, with Caesar taking on his former ally, Pompey. When Pompey and his followers were defeated, Caesar reached the pinnacle of his power, but it would not last long as a conspiracy would lead to his assassination.
Goldsworthy's biography of Caesar is generally favorable towards its subject, but he is objective enough to present the negatives as well. He shows clearly that to understand Caesar requires that the reader understands Rome: the way politics worked, the general acceptance of brutal warfare and the institution of slavery, and the roles of men and women. This last is particularly important, as Caesar was quite the womanizer: among his lovers were Cleopatra and Servilia (the mother of his killer, Brutus).
There have been more skillful politicians and successful generals, but rarely do members of these groups intersect. Caesar is one of the few, perhaps the best combination politician/military leader ever (but as Goldsworthy argues, in Rome, there was less distinction between the two). In addition, there are few historical figures who have a life story filled with as much sex, violence and intrigue as Caesar. Goldsworthy does a great job of bringing Julius Caesar and Rome to life, and if you interested in this era, this is a must-read.
Book Description
Imagine a world without eBay...unthinkable! How would you get that Farrah Fawcett poster, retired Beanie Baby, or first-edition pet rock? Handling over a gazillion (OK, we exaggerate--it's actually only 1 billion) page views each day, server-side Java makes eBay work.
Isn't it time you learned the latest (J2EE 1.4) versions of Servlets & JSPs? This book will get you way up to speed on the technology you'll know it so well, in fact, that you can pass the Sun Certified Web Component Developer (SCWCD) 1.4 exam. If that's what you want to do, that is. Maybe you don't care about the exam, but need to use Servlets & JSPs in your next project. You're working on a deadline. You're over the legal limit for caffeine. You can't waste your time with a book that makes sense only AFTER you're an expert (or worse one that puts you to sleep).
No problem. Head First Servlets and JSP's brain-friendly approach drives the knowledge straight into your head (without sharp instruments). You'll interact with servlets and JSPs in ways that help you learn quickly and deeply. It may not be The Da Vinci Code, but quickly see why so many reviewers call it "a page turner". Most importantly, this book will help you use what you learn. It won't get you through the exam only to have you forget everything the next day.
Learn to write servlets and JSPs, what makes the Container tick (and what ticks it off), how to use the new JSP Expression Language (EL), what you should NOT write in a JSP, how to write deployment descriptors, secure applications, and even use some server-side design patterns. Can't talk about Struts at a cocktail party? That'll change. You won't just pass the exam, you will truly understand this stuff, and you'll be able to put it to work right away.
This new exam is tough--much tougher than the previous version of the SCWCD. The authors of Head First Servlets and JSP know: they created it. (Not that it EVER occurred to them that if they made the exam really hard you'd have to buy a study guide to pass it.) The least they could do is give you a stimulating, fun way to pass the thing. If you're one of the thousands who used Head First EJB to pass the SCWCD exam, you know what to expect!
Customer Reviews:
Trust me, just buy it!! .......2007-09-22
I referred religiously to only this book for my study. It makes for a very interesting read. Most of the questions were based on this book. And I am happy to say that I scored 85% after just studying for a couple of hours for one month.
If you want to refer to just one book, this is it.
Best book for SCWCD.......2007-09-13
This book is just too good. I had thought of writing this review as soon I had cleared my exam this July with 92%. My apologies for this delay.
If you would like to brush up your servlet/jsp/ tag libraries and appear for the SCWCD exam, then look no further. This is the book.
With Head First's unique style of presentation, I just loved reading this book.
I would say the book can improve more on examples and exercises. But whatever it has it really drives it in and makes your fundamentals solid.
The exams after each chapter are solid with good answers and very less errors or typos as found in other books of the same genre.
However the final exam in the book is much much tougher than the real one.
Enjoy
-Arijit
Wonderful Book.......2007-09-04
I started reading and i couldn't stop more. I'm a little suspect to say anything about this book because I'm really fan of this series.
What can i say about it ? If you really want pass the exam and don't want spend money with courses, use this book.
ps: sorry if i did some mistake, I'm Brazilian and my English is not the best thing i got.
Very pleased!.......2007-08-31
I learned something in the first chapter. This is leading me by the hand, which is refreshing in a sea of new information. I am not even studying for the exam, but I chose this one over a couple of others and I'm glad I did!
A little schizo.......2007-08-25
Mind you, this book has a lot of good info, and I don't regret buying it. However, this book doesn't seem to know its own purpose. From the writing style, you can really tell it was written by different people. At times, it's a tutorial. The first several chapters walk you through an example beer selection app, but then you don't really do hands-on coding ever again, and the app isn't referenced again until the very end. In the middle, the material seems geared towards passing the exam, but there is a lot of information, some well organized and some poorly. The later chapters are verbose and not as helpfully repetitive as the former chapters. It's a good supplemental book, but shouldn't be your main JSP book.
Books:
- The Connecticut River Boating Guide, 3rd: Source to Sea (Falcon Guide)
- The Deep: The Extraordinary Creatures of the Abyss
- The Everything Mediterranean Cookbook: An Enticing Collection of 300 Healthy, Delicious Recipes from the Land of Sun and Sea (Everything: Cooking)
- The God of Animals: A Novel
- The Grandmother of Time: A Woman's Book of Celebrations, Spells, and Sacred Objects for Every Month of the Year
- The Great American Pin-Up (Midi)
- The Grip Book, Third Edition
- The Last Steam Railroad in America
- The Nursing Mother's Companion: Revised Edition
- The Photobook: A History - Volume 2
Books Index
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