Dodge Reviews

The major portion of the book confirms our suspicions of the massive tax avoidance and evasion that is extant in the U.S. today. I found much of the material to be revealing of the methodology used by rich and poor to escape the responsibility of paying ones dues.
The authors lost me in their attack on VAT ( National Sales Tax ) which has worked successfully in tne United Kingdom and in Canada. These countries are way ahead of us in Social Services. Any tax plan will have its defects, but this is one way to avoid the off shore plans, and the refusal to even submit the 1040 form.
The final chapter devoted to the authors' solution to the problem is a joke. If you take one suggestion after another it is clear that our economy will not tolerate their badly constructed cure. I think that they were just in a hurry to close out the book and had really ill considered, ( or no ), advice from seasoned economists. These two chapters left me with a feeling of let down and disappointment. I had hoped to find some well constructed answers to a pernicious problem. But they offered none.

Before I read the book, I had the (mistaken) belief that all income tax evaders had an equal chance of an IRS Audit. I now see that the IRS is set-up to audit citizens that can't afford lawyers--the book has good evidence for that, the kind you can find for yourself.

Unfortunately, the book isn't totally solid. It rightly points out that the current tax system is unfair for the un-wealthy, and I think the authors provide fairly good evidence that this unfairness is largely due to a congress that has created a behemoth tax code while simultaneously stripping the IRS of its ability to enforce it. Unfortunately, though, there were times that some claims went un-referenced (e.g., past tax code), which left me wondering about what was "factual."

The book is biased towards blaming the wealthy for lobbying congress while dumping billions into tax shelters (this bias, nonetheless, seems well supported), but the book isn't about wealth bashing--it is about the notion that in our country, to some extent, we are all our neighbor's helper, and to cheat taxes is morally incomprehensible and consequential. They point to the ills of society fostering an environment for cheaters of all kinds...from tax evaders to cheating college freshman, as evidence for the cheater's mentality. In this regard, the book has a pessimistic view of a human nature that always reduces itself to the "lowest common denominator" (i.e., if the wealthy cheat on taxes, why shouldn't I?). The authors pose good arguments against flat taxes and sales taxes, while supporting a progressive tax such as our current tax structure. They argue that the current tax code is too complicated and should be simplified. This complication is largely do to the history of special interest groups successfully lobbying for tax loopholes. Overall, I know more about taxes (and tax evasion) than I had before the book.

Just read the last two chapters, "How Congress plans to increase your Taxes" and the final chapter on their solution. These authors show how Congress is crippling the enforcement of tax cheats by the rich, even granting them loopholes so they pay even less than they should. The flat tax and national sales tax are shown to be the shams they are, the rich will get very rich and the poor and middle class will take the burden of the lost taxes from the rich. Don't believe me, read the book. Why did Warren Buffett endorse Gore saying he (Buffett) pays less taxes than his secretary? Because this is all true, Congress has always made the tax laws favor the rich, hiding it in complex regulations that only the rich can afford the lawyers and accountants to figure out. They pay less taxes and now the Republicans want to make the income tax so difficult that the rest of the country can be sold a bill of goods that repealing the income tax and putting in a flat tax will help the middle class instead of the truth that it will devastate the middle class. Buy the book, get the book from the library, but read the book before you vote!

This is the worst 'How To' book I have ever read...The author never makes a definitive statement about anything. Instead he says you could do this or that, hire someone or do it yourself, blah blah blah. He rambles on about the same subjects repetitively to fill up the pages. I feel like I have not learned anything of any use after reading the entire book. What a major disappointment!

A fairly useful overview that describes the issues a developer has to address, but not much about how to address them. For some reason the author tends to repeat himself. He says something and then restates it. He makes the same point twice.

He also tends to be rather vague: "Some aspects of site supervision can be dealt with in many ways. Some ways are more cost-effective than others." The book is full of statements like this.

I have found the book useful to help me identify issues that I need to think about, but if you are looking for answers--this book isn't for you. It should be titled, "What to Expect as a Land Developer."

Woodson doesn't tell the reader how to survey, do his/her own drawings, tell how to design a curb and gutter system. I didn't expect him to! He does walk you through how to get started on the path to be a land developer, including who and/or where to go for the details you will need to get further information, as well as the long list of subjects and details the potential developer needs to consider and explore.

The book lacks detail and is not user-friendly. The information for torque specifications is located in the beginning of the chapter rather than in the location of the repair being made. Having the information set up this way is very frustrating because you have to back track to get the information which is a waste of time. I also found a mistake in a wiring diagram for the ECU.

The book is laid out in a confusing manner in many ways, and it is difficult to be certain that the section you're looking at actually pertains to your vehicle year/engine. It has good information, but it will take you time to find it. Part of the problem is that it tries to cover too many years and vairations.

i need to find something about fixing transmichians on a dodge 1987 d-50 pick up truck

Interesting for someone just getting into this subject, it's more of a recitation of model-year features than an in-depth examination. Prose is a little dry, it livens up when Herd talks to actual designers or drivers.
Not bad, and at a good price.

More of a coffe table book than a reference guide, this book touches on all versions of the cars including the Volare and Magnum variants. Dozens of beautiful pictures and original ad copy capture a time when horsepower meant everything. For some reason the author must have insisted every car photographed be red, I would have liked to see some of the other colors offered. A worthwhile addition nonetheless.

89 dodge ram 100. Water in the oil. Replaced head gaskets and bearings. The book had no directions about installing rod and mains. No torque specs. Not knowing how to install the bearings because no information was provided, the bearings spun, and it had very very low oil pressure. The bearings & crankshaft is trashed.

I have been using Haynes repair manuals for years. The information on the torque specifications for the connecting rod and main bearing caps along with all the other information on a complete rebuild is in Chapter 3 Part C. Haynes Repair Manuals are very informative books and are based on a complete teardown and rebuild. The information is there.

This book is just a rehash of many articles from car magazines. All the photos are in black and white, many pages appear to be very grainy photocopies. The quality of this book is poor. The only reason it gets my 2-stars is because of the topic not the presentation, not the photos and most certainly not the quality. Save you money for the high quality, hard cover Dodge Viper books out there.

Many great articles from the begining to 1998. If you're looking for performance and technical informations it's for you. If you want great color pics, go away.

You would not be even able to change your air filter if you used this book. I tried to follow the instructions for changing the air filter on my 99 Grand Caravan, but I was left with frustration. This is just one inaccuracy I found. I would'nt be surprised if there are more.

Maybe the book is good for another year not for the 1999 Grand Caravan model.

Save your money on Chilton. They do not hold near the information, clarity and in depth detail, thus VALUE, that Haynes Repair Manuals do. Having said that, I would like to address some complaints I've come across about both Haynes
and Chilton's Manuals.
1.) If your manual suggests at a point to seek professional input it is because MOST NON mechanics don't possess the skill or tools or shop equipment to perform a certain procedure (be it correctly or safely). The publishers' lawyer insisted on the "seek professional input" so as not to take on legal liability for an unqualified person attempting to perform a critical step in their car care. The reason is valid. You can injure yourself and damage your vehicle as well as render your
vehicle unsafe to be on the road.
2.) Prior to purchasing a repair manual, LOOK THROUGH IT. Almost every auto parts store in America sells Haynes and / or Chilton's. If the particular manual you need doesn't have the plastic removed, look for a manual that does and look through the sections. CAUTION most auto supply stores will get mad and make you buy anything you rip open. They're trying to sell information contained in the manual, not give it away. Some copies are USUALLY open and can be looked
at. Does the manual seem logical, good pictures? Thorough? Then CHANCES ARE that brand will be a good choice for your repair. Also READ the cover front & back thoroughly. It will tell you if special vehicles aren't covered (AWD, Alternate Fuel Vehicles, etc) Know what vehicle you have so you get the RIGHT manual. The correct year, make, model, engine size.
3.) If you do encounter a problem in the middle of a repair, it's possible that it is YOUR not doing something correctly. Not the tool, or the repair manual. Go away from the car, get lunch or a cold glass of lemonade, read through the manual. Even start again in the morning.
4.) As automobiles become more sophisticated, there is truly less and less that a vehicle owner can do him or herself. It is a fact, you will need to take your vehicle into a dealership or well equipped shop for more things. In addition, used oil and other fluids are difficult to dispose of. DO NOT THROW DOWN YOUR DRAIN OR BURY IN YOUR BACKYARD!!!. Tires, batteries all have special disposal needs.
5.) There are some people WHO ARE NOT MECHANICAL. Buy them books, audio / video equipment, ties for Christmas. NOT A WRENCH SET!
6.) Neither Haynes nor Chilton are Professional Shop Manuals (these are available for hundreds of dollars).
As for the particular manual for the Haynes (ASIN: 1563923580) Dodge Caravan, Plymouth Voyager and Chrysler Town & Country from years 1996 through 1999: This manual does NOT COVER All-Wheel Drive nor Alternative Fuel Models AND SAYS SO ON THE COVERS. Haynes breaks down into different sections each of the engine options (in this example: 4 cylinder,3.0 liter V6, 3.3 liter V6, and 3.8 V6) If you're say, changing an air filter, make sure you're looking at the right directions for the engine for the vehicle you have. The different engines have important items positioned in different locations and thus DIFFERENT INSTRUCTIONS for each item on each engine. You can even utilize Amazon "take a look inside" feature to check out if this manual is for you or not. .I checked it's description for changing wiper blades, oil and oil filters, air filters and general repairs and found it both accurate and easy to understand. I've been happy with Haynes manuals over the years and recommend all vehicle owners purchase one even if you don't expect to do any repair or service yourself. It helps to know the information, to be aware of how your car works and to talk in a reasonably intelligent manner (on your part anyway) when you take your vehicle in for service.

I'm happy with this purchase. And have been with every Haynes manual I've bought and used in the last 20 years.
John Row

What an outrage and disappointment, this super organized, sanitized act of academic hubris by Rudnick. I suggest you compare this text with the real thing - Edge of Taos Desert to see what I mean. The "Rudnick" autobiography was a total waste of money. I don't think Mabel Dodge Luhan was the kind of woman who would have take kindly to being "abridged." Nor should she have been, when she wrote prose as compelling, honest, sensual and spiritual as found in Edge of Taos Desert. I hope to find an unabridged autobiography. Meanwhile I'm mailing this "autobiography" back to Rudnick.

Intimate memories is the autobiography of one of the most fascinating and influential women in artistic and intellectual circles of the US and Europe in the beginning of the 20th century. Mabel's writing is frank and engaging, and her story draws you in like an adventure novel. Her independent spirit and influence on writers, artists and intellectual luminaries of her time are awe-inspiring. This book is well-written and well edited, and I highly recommend it (and Im NOT just saying this because the editor is my mom)!

I was hoping to photograph some old ghost towns in the U.P. so I felt this book would help direct me to interesting sites. I hate to be so negative about a local topic but it did not even start to meet my expectations. The book is not easy to read even as interesting history. The book will not give you many details on how to find ghost town artifacts. Most of the book details the growth and death of towns. However, most of these are very short in length and are very dry in the telling. Many of the book's details leave off in the early 70's.

This is a good, informative book which is primarily a listing of ghost towns existing in Michigan's misunderstood Upper Peninsula, but also includes pictures and interesting facts about most of the towns. It offers a pretty good history of the region.

This is a very persuasive book in which Mr. Nader is trying to get you to take every single aircooled Volkswagen off of the road forever. There are solid facts about old Volkswagen's safety shortcomings. However, some of these appear to be missing exact facts(which worked in favor of Mr. Nader) The handling characteristics seem a bit exaggerated to me. I love how he goes on and on for pages about a defective gas cap. I think it is worthwhile for an aircooled Volkswagen owner to read this. I would advise, however, to take it with a grain of salt. As I think it is one-sided in many places and maybe some factors are not explained.
Plus how can a man hate cars so much yet never have been behind the wheel of one? :)

This is the book that did for the Volkswagen what "Unsafe At Any Speed" did for the Corvair. Ralph Nader had a significant role in the creation of this book, although he is not given author credit. It is a tell-all on the safety problems inherent in the design and engineering of the VW Beetle and Transporter. It is not good news for the VW enthusiast, which I am one, but it has caused me to drive it much more safely and carefully.