Corbin Reviews

This book provides an insider's look at how animation is done on computers. It goes into many of the basics, but nevertheless, is not for complete beginners, since it assumes from the beginning that you've got some conception of how animation works and are familiar with some of the vocabulary. However, if you've worked a little with Flash, or have read books like 24 Hours to Flash, you should be able to follow along with this book. Much of the real content of the book is in chapters 2, 3, 4, and 6, where Wagstaff explains the behind-the-scenes details of how professional animation is done, and what makes the difference between a believable animation and a hack-job. Most of the remaining chapters provide brief descriptions of software tools that can be used for various animation tasks. These latter chapters, are of, course, already out of date, but the materials in the preliminary chapters are so well done that the book is well worth the price and will be for years to come.

I bought this book because a lot of people want animation on their web sites, and I needed to learn to do it. I didn't have any idea how to do more than a slide show, or know why I would even want to. After reading this book, I'm now an animation fan, and am designing my web sites with animation in mind. I can now make intelligent decisions about when to use what type of animation, and what tools and techniques to use.

It's obvious that the author is extremely knowledgeable in both traditional and computer animation, and he relates his knowledge well. He starts the book with a solid introduction to the techniques animators have been using for decades. He refers to these techniques as he goes on to discuss both general computer animation and web animation. He believes that in the not-so-distant future, web animation will be similar to today's CD-ROM animation, and he writes with this in mind.

The book is very well organized with chapters on many topics such as cell animation, video, 3D graphics & animation, QuickTime VR, etc. He completes each topic with a thorough overview of software tools, and walkthroughs of various techniques. He covers both Mac and Windows, noting which applications are available for which computers.

As far as I'm concerned, this is a must have for anyone who wants to make things move on a computer screen. Yes, the book is named "Animation on the Web" but it's full of wonderful information useful for anyone involved in Multimedia development, computer presentations, etc. Highlights include excerpts of an article on animation by John Lasseter, director of "Toy Story" and a brief but wonderfully funny section on applying Newton's laws of motion to Wile E. Coyote. Part of what I do involves multimedia development, and I expect this will be pretty dog-eared and beaten up by the end of the year. As I said, it's fun reading and chock full of great information.

This title is of note as it is one of the few books written by a male about his experience teaching in the bush. The author lived among the Yupik Eskimos of Wales and Scammon Bay on the Northwest Coast of Alaska. The author speaks warmly of his experience with the villagers, however there are a few passages that could be perceived as negative towards Alaska natives. In addition even though the author gets along well with the community, like so many bush teachers, he leaves after only a few short years. Although the meat of this book is the author's adventures with his new friends, there are several comments on bush schools in the first chapter and several more sprinkled throughout. This book is a quick, smooth, and easy read and there is plenty to be learned from this book. Photos are interesting but too small and dark.

I just finished this book moments ago, and was so moved that I jumped on the computer to write this review. I loved the book. I feel like I came to know the author personally. I bought the book in North Carolina during Christmas tree time, and had I known he had a farm, I would have driven down just to see him. I learned so much about primitive Alaska during this time period. I was on the edge of my seat waiting for his next "everyday" adventure of living in remote Alaska. I crave a chance to visit an area such as this. I recommend this to anyone that enjoys great non-fiction.

A fascinating account of not only life in Alaska but life in the 50's as well. Mr. Corbin's writing makes you feel as if you are living there with him; you feel as if you know the different villagers and you come away with a deeper appreciation for the Eskimo way of life, beliefs, and values.

I read this book not long after I'd read "Influenza", an account of the flu epidemics the world has seen, and noticed a lot of congruencies in the descriptions of Alaska and the native peoples between this book and "A World Apart". Another interesting comparison is with "1000 White Women", a fictional story of 1800's American Indians' attempt to begin to blend their race with the Americans of European descent by taking white women as their brides. In this story, as in "A World Apart", you begin to understand not only HOW the described cultures differ but WHY, and thus both books reinforce the lesson that you can't impose your values on a people with different circumstances and beliefs. Come to think of it, "Poisonwood Bible" also taught anti-ethnocentrism as well. If you enjoyed any of these other books, you will find "A World Apart" difficult to put down.

Excellent book to put in the hands of every student wishing to use qualitative methodology - in grounded theory - for a research project, especially at the graduate level. Strauss (who died in 1996, two years before the new edition of the book was published) and Corbin have thoroughly revised the first edition of "Basics of Qualitative Research" and added, among other things, a FAQ based on their students' questions. Caution, though, the book is NOT a step-by-step manual or a A-to-Z handbook for forging concepts, building categories and properties, etc. and other books will have to be read as an introduction to the technical aspects of qualitative research. Also, a complete newcomer to qualitative analysis may find chapters 5, 6 and 7 unclear until he gets to chapter 8 about open coding.

This re-edition of a classic is nonetheless a must-read for every junior researcher pretending to work in the tradition of grounded theory.

Fourth in a series of books about grounded theory, this book describes in detail the procedures and techniques used in the grounded theory method of qualitative research. The first-time qualitative researcher will now be able to go through the process with a competent guide, while the experienced researcher will be able to find answers to unanswered questions. The book starts with an explanation of the theoretical and philosphical foundations of the grounded theory method in qualitative research. Later chapters explain the different techniques that can be used in this approach, with examples. Sections that give definitions of terms used in this research approach provide a clearer understanding of the discussion in each chapter. This book is an ideal companion for anyone wishing to pursue qualitative research.

This book offers a good selection of readings for beginning students of the Romanian language. Each chapter features several pages of prose with the more unusual vocabulary glossed in the margins; comprehension questions at the end of each chapter lend themselves readily to a conversational session in a classroom situation. Readings are independent thematic units with illustrations and present more complex grammatical structures successively chapter by chapter. A Romanian-English vocabulary list at the end of the book includes all vocabulary used in the text. Since the book was published in 1981, references to contemporary culture and politics are outdated.

This is supposed to be a resource for teachers to use with their students, but I am just a person studying Romanian independently so this review is for anyone else in that situation. The book is great! It just nice short easy interesting pieces to read, without any real instruction. I've studied enough already from other books, and the pieces are easy enough, that I actually have the feeling of "reading" which is very nice. Compared to my other more serious books, it's nice to have a break from the grammar instruction, and it's nice to have something a little more fun to read. The texts are definitely aimed at a young audience, but if you can have fun feeling like a kid, then you will definitely get a lot out of this book. Also, finally a book where I can find the word I want in the dictionary in the back!

This was a good collection of many explorers travels to locate Noah's Ark on Mount Ararat. I was a little dissapointed that they didn't put many details in about other areas that are now being explored by other searchers. It's great to see all of the difficulties that people have gone through just to climb the mountain, and after reading the book, I hope that the search continues in a broader area since Ararat may not be the mountain described in the Bible.

This book is an essential historical report of the many liars {often in their own words} who claimed to see, touch or bring back samples of Noah's Ark. It is also a list of the many dupes who courageously or recklessly climbed this mountain over & over again (like possessed little children) to see the same sights & suffer more depravation & degradation by nature & man. I wrote another review two days ago but did not make a copy to send to Ark searchers & believers. I think most of the Ark veterans are convinced that the Ark is NOT on Ararat but are ashamed to admit it. They still have two locations to examine!! Ararat is a volcano that probably was created around 2400 BC, just after the FLOOD in 2437BC c. or by 2200 BC the latest, at the time of the Babel dispersion. It did grow through the years, erupting in 1840 & shaking in 1883 & 1966. (This is from the book.) The authors understand earthquakes as they understand glaciers, but in this book, they do NOT dwell upon earthquakes for very long. Why? Because their Ark would have disappeared down the mountain where the vast majority of sightings are located. Another aspect I did notice was their neglect of those who DIED climbing Ararat!!! Most people like to remember those courageous enough to pioneer, to explore. This book only tells of three - very quickly!!! And now we get to the reason why. I believe under Reagan & Bush, various hoaxes were perpetrated by the US government to deceive the world public. Corbin uses the term "boxcar" about three times, & that is the number of boxcars I believe the US & Turkey buried on Ararat. I don't think they let these boxcars stay up there for long - 1-2 years at the most. These explorers were told to shut up about it when they discovered them. These plants were during the time of their most successful & prolific ground searching during 1984-1990. Suddenly with the US-Iraq War, the US could not sponsor or support these expeditons. It was NO miracle James Irwin wanted to climb. The Ark expedition of 1966 & other secret expeditions were sponsored by the US. The paragraphs on Bud Crawford were very important - the CIA wanted him to take pictures. Only if he was taking pictures of a bogus Ark would that be important, the US already had everything else!!! And it is NO coincidence that Stephens 3rd, a US military employee spotted one of those plants in 1988 around which an expedition was sent in 1989. But these bogus arks only got laughs for a few elite; they did NOT damp the determination of some to find an Ark where it would NEVER be found. This book is VERY important & very interesting to read. Thank you for it. Now let us find the spot on Mt.Judi where the historical record supports its landing & build all the shrines, churches & observation sites so modern tourists can make a haji to it. This IS important to do BEFORE the nuclear war of Rev.6:8!! Contrary to your already proven erronious beliefs, there is NO rapture. Buy this book for your library & to support the true Church of God in truth & love. In Jesus' Name, Clifford Catton - Sept.6, 2000.

I just finished " Explorers of Ararat ". What a fabulous adventure story. I have followed the hunt for Noah's Ark for years and by far this was the most objective book that I've read about it. Regardless of the religious convictions of the explorers , they gave an unbiased account of their experiences trying to uncover this great mystery. I can hardly wait until the new edition comes out in 2001. Bravo !!!

I love all of David Handler's books. . . the Hoagy series, especially. This book is as enjoyable as all of the others in the series. It's a little less suspenseful - you can pretty much figure out the murderer early on - but the twists and turns keep you on an interestingly winding trail to the conclusion. I recommend this and every other David Handler book out there. I wish he'd write MORE MORE MORE!

This guy is fabulous. So funny. I've never laughed out loud while reading a book before; until now, that is. Please, Mr. Handler, write, write, write!!!!!

Handler never ceases to dissappoint. This is another installment featuring the sauve yet sarcastic/observant articulate Stuart Hoag. It includes the usual pop culture iconoclasticism (and I can't get enough of that) and the cast of characters that remind me of the Thin Man movies updated to the 1990's.

By reading this book one would think that most of the first class thinkers in Islamic world were either Iranian or Shia. I wonder if the author was paid by someone in that region to write this book.

This is an excellent sourcebook for serious study of Islamic Philosophy.

A very informative and easy to read book. Author does a good job intoducing his readers to a wide range of thinkers in the Islamic world. Recommend it as a text book for serious students of religion and philosophy.

After reading "The seal of saints" by Mr. Chodkiewickz, I got curious about Mr. Corbin's books in general and this one, Alone with the Alone" in particular. In the book " The seal of saints" Chodkiewickz is highly critical of Corbin in assesing a "Shia" core for Suif's in general and great Shiekh in particular. I am no expert in these matters but from my studies of suffism and Shiism, I see about a 80% overlap between the two. Suffism has much more in common with Shia beliefs than it has with our Sunni beliefs. I always wondered why Shiism has added " I bear witness that Ali is Wali of God" to the call for prayer, I didn't get the significance of this addition until I read Mr.Chodkiewickz's fine book on Ibne' Ul-Arabi's doctorine of Sainthood. Not that I agree with the Sufi or Shia assertion in this regard, it violates my Sunni beliefs, but at least I have an appreciation for the concept. I respect Sufis, though I am not an advocate , well at leats not yet. I tend to agree with Corbin that Shiism and Suffism seem to be twins, or at least distant causins. Reading some of Sheikh's work in Arabic, I came across passages that had strong Shia tone, one wonders if these passages were added to the book or was written by Sheikh himself. If written by Shiekh himself, then knowingly or unknowngly, Sheikh must have been influneced by Shii thoughts. Whatever the case maybe, this is an excellent book, I recommend Mr.Chodkiewickz's book as well. I think everyone should read about all point of views and arrive at their own conclusion.

One of the most profound books I have read. An original and thought provoking book. Perhaps only Corbin can do justice in introducing a man like Mr. Arabi to the west. I would gladly read any book written by Henry Corbin.

Ibn Arabi is very difficult and one requires lot of attention and background in sufi reading to grasp and untie the knots of his mystic thoughts. This book has done a good job in this direction.

This is probably one of C. S. Lewis's unpopular books. He has written many other famous works of literature. C. S. Lewis is also the author of the classic, the Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.

One thing I will definitely say is that, contrary to the opinions of many educated readers and amazon.com patrons, this book was not in fact written by C. S. Lewis.

This is a truly fascinating book, and I can't imagine how it could be improved upon. If you consider the work of C.S. Lewis to be worthy of further investigation, Carnell's book should be essential reading for you. He argues correctly that spiritual longing or "sehnsucht" is, and has been a basic concept in literature through the ages, sometimes being referred to as Romanticism, or at least the "common denominator" in Romanticism. He shows us how it is prevelant in Wordsworth, Blake, Juvenal, Voltaire, Auden, Dylan Thomas, Whitman, Wallace Stevens, and in less likely places, such as Saul Bellow, Theodore Dreiser, and even Beatrix Potter. Carnell is convinced however, that the clearest place we can learn about sehnsucht is by reading what Lewis said about it, both didactically and in his fiction. I thoroughly agree.

Sehnsucht is hard to define. It is the compulsive quest, which brings with it both fleeting joy and the sad realization that one is yet separated from what is desired. Yet, it is more than this... it is ceaseless longing, it is causeless melancholy, it is ecstatic wonder. It is nostalgia. The hush of the deep mystery of man's finitude and creatureliness coupled with a sense of the numinous. My own definition: it is the incomprehensible momentarily made known, with the proviso that one cannot carry it away, prolong it, or even reproduce it. "Effort, and expectation, and desire / And something evermore about to be."

By recounting Lewis's personal experiences of sehnsucht, and by an examination of his writings on the topic, Carnell creates a flawless sehnsuchtopedia that has the page-turning quality of a good novel. Do not hesitate to get this new re-issue of a tremendous book.

Generally gets into how to recognize poor corporate mangement and cultures. Assists the reader to determine if self-employment is a realistic option based upon their personality type. A very readable and relavent book in these days of downsizing and corporate mergers.