ERA Reviews

I know this is going to be one of those '0 out of 11 found this review helpful' reviews, but I'm going to do it anyway.
The good:
--Well written, it's easy to get swept away
--Interesting origin story regarding the Neyel
--Interesting interplay between the Tholians and Starfleet
The bad:
--The solution to the core issue was ridiculous, laughably so
--The diplomat was a poorly-drawn character; it's like the authors couldn't decide whether she should be a good or bad character, so they chose neither
--The hyperevolution of the Neyel; they accomplished way too much in too short of a time (and speeding up generations doesn't change the fact that you still have a finite number of hours to work with)
--Yet ANOTHER sword-fight in a Star Trek book
--And, of course, it conveniently made sure that canon wouldn't be violated in the end
--The authors kept contradicting themselves regarding 'Aerth', the Ambassador's beliefs towards the Neyels' origin, and whether or not the crew of the Excelsior were from it...I don't know if this is because each author took turns writing, or they were just careless

All in all its a worthwhile book, and it shows a lot of promise for the entire Lost Era series. I know there are more negatives in my review than positives, but that's only because most of my positives have been mentioned by other reviewers. If you like Trek, I'd definitely recommend it.

Dictionary.com defines 'Sundered' as... To break or wrench apart; sever. To break into parts. A division or separation. I think this is appropriate do to the fact that 'The Sundered' truly does separate, break into parts, and sever itself from the previous lot of Excelsior & Sulu centric Star Trek novels. For the first time, an Excelsior novel has been done right, and likewise for the first time the prospect of a full-blown Excelsior series is on the horizon -- something some fans even tried to have done for television! I have it on good authority that 'at least' one further Sulu/Excelsior novel is to be penned by Michael A.Martin and Andy Mangels, with the prospects bright for a full line of Excelsior novels.

Martin & Mangels have done it again. Though I've only read one other work by the duo - Deep Space 9: Mission Gamma, Book 3 - 'Cathedral' - I was equally impressed with that novel as I have been with 'The Sundered' by M&M's ability to create a truly science-fiction like atmosphere within Star Trek - something that has been lacking in many peoples opinions for quite some time. The non-humanoid Tholians where a brilliant choice to be the 'villian' of sorts in this story, as we for the first time got a truly decent look at the Tholian culture, race, species, government, and individuals. It's amazing to find a truly alien culture in science fiction anymore, when every 'new' race is simply a mock-up of another.

The interconnection between 'The Sundered' and the DS9 Relaunch novels was also brilliant. By having the Excelsior Chief of Security be a younger Lieutenant L.J. Akaar -- later Fleet Admiral during the relaunch -- the generations have truly begun to bridge for the first time. It also says something on behalf of the editors at Pocket Books, who have in recent years gone above and beyond the call of duty to make the literature aspect of the Trek franchise the best it can be. Creating original characters and using them in various times and periods, thus connecting everything like a delicate tapestry, is just something we've been missing in Trek.

I can't wait for the next M&M work, and the next M&M Excelsior novel. Here's hoping that the next novel cements the Excelsior chain of books, and M&M as their architects.

This novel is the first in an ingenious series bridging the a gap between generations. Captain Sulu and the USS Excelsior depart on a diplomatic mission to work with an older foe, the Thorians. With the help of many colleagues from the original Enterprise, the crew is able to stop a war between the Federation and the Thorians.

The volume of tie-in presented in the book excited me. Every time a chapter started, I sat on edge waiting to see how the authors would bring another aspect of the Star Trek universe in. As the third novel I have read from these writers, I can say each time I am elated with the complexity they provoke in the familiar characters.

With no reservations, I give this book the highest rating. As a novel it defiantly deserves it but I question the background presented about the Thorians. I fell there might be descripencies with the minimal use of the Thorians in the current TV series. Enterprise.

What a disappointment! I could not beleive that this was actually written in 1999. Unless you have been asleep for a couple of years most of the stuff in this tape would be familiar.

The tape starts with a few bits of information such as the quote from Fortune: "On the web you are either fast, or last." And then goes on to talk about channel conflict stating that this is the most widely reported problem that businesses face. Well neither the author nor these businesspeople have read customers.com because Patricia Seybold has a solution (in fact so does Judson in strategy 10).

I did not like his telephone analogy for the web. Trouble always comes when something new is described using nice comfortable familiar concepts. His strategies are on the whole disappointingly stale: speed, flexibility, efficiency, personal service and paranoia. Judson seems to borrow his ideas from everyone (including Grove and Gates).

However, if you have been asleep for the last two years, you are panicking because you are about to be disintermediated and you want a primer in e-commerce, this is probably for you.

Why three stars? Well I did not throw it out the car and it did remind me of everything I had heard before.

This book is now outdated. Want a good one? Try, 'Just For Fun' by Linus Torvalds (the creator of Linux).

I have recommended, and bought, this book for many of my friends. It has very practical and useful ideas of how to leverage the Internet to produce incremental sales and reduce operational costs. Must read if you have, or don't have, an Internet business strategy.

Lampooning a book that steps beyond science and into the realm of spiritual healing would be easy. Many readers won't have much trouble accepting the notion that your mind can heal your body, but it probably will be harder to accept Dr. Larry Dossey's assertion that your mind can heal other bodies just as well. In fact, many readers will scoff at the idea that all minds are linked in a global consciousness that can be harnessed to accomplish tasks like curing AIDS. However, as the good doctor notes, trying to influence reality with the power of thought amounts to... well, prayer. And millions of Americans who would roll their eyes at a New-Agey term like "nonlocal mind" pray for each other every day. So if you're put off by the book's preachy tone or its inevitable omission of factual evidence to back up its conclusions, lighten up, or be ready to take a good hard look at some of your own cherished beliefs. We [...] recommend this book to anyone willing to suspend his or her skepticism for just a few hours.

Have you ever suspected that healing requires something more than either an entirely body-based approach... or even a mind-body approach? Would you like to better understand how powerful prayer really is for healing? If so, you'll love Larry Dossey's book, "Reinventing Medicine", in which he describes this new era of non-local medicine. Dossey cites very convincing scientific studies that indicate healing can be achieved at a distance by directing loving thoughts, intentions and prayers to others -- even if they are not aware that these loving thoughts are being extended to them. Dossey's revolutionary book inspires us to consider the healing power of what he calls Eternity Medicine in our everyday lives right now. I get goose-bumps of excitement and joy each time I read this book, and give it my highest recommendation.

Larry Dossey's book presents its readers with a new and unique theory of how prayer will be able to influence the health of our body. He begins his book with a brief overview of the three different Eras of medicine. Era I deals with mechanical, material, or physical medicine and Era II deals with mind-body medicine, which may include any form of therapy where the body treats itself and only itself through psychosomatic methods. In this book, Dossey adds to this list by suggesting the possibility of an Era III, called eternity medicine. He suggests that individuals can affect patients from a distance, called "intercessory prayer." The mind, separate from the brain, has the ability to transverse space and time. He backs up his argument with ample evidence from Harvard, Duke, and other prestigious institutions. Each experiment builds upon the next, reinforcing the principles and theories of Dossey.

The case for the possibility of an Era III is further developed through other examples of individuals who have experienced "non locality" or phenomenon that they can't explain. For instance, we can often experience non locality through our dreams and déjà vu's. Dossey also presents his readers with a feel of futuristic medicine. He believes in traditional medicine that is supplemented by prayer and other acts of non local medicine.

For me, it has reshaped my thinking and has helped me to explain the world from a different perspective. It has also played a large part in my faith, strongly reinforcing the principles that I have learned through my religion. I would recommend this book very highly for the interested individual in mind-body relationships.

This was the first book I ever read on Marian apparitions. It almost turned me off to the real message of Mary. The book spends almost all its pages outlining horrible visions, i. e. destruction of the earth, three days of darkness with demons swirling all over the place, the Antichrist, and on and on and on until you're scared half out of your mind. Some of this stuff is so disheartening that I wondered, what exactly is the point they're trying to make? They spent too much time on these fatalistic visions and a lot of negativity instead of focusing on the real point: turn back to God and pray often. Read the Wayne Weible books on Medjugorje if you want to understand the true meaning behind Marian apparitions. His books were truly uplifting. These authors do nothing more than scare you and make you feel powerless to stop these nightmarish events. That's not the point of Mary coming here.

Worth every penny! Full of facts and information!

Having studied with real visionareys I can say from the bottom of my heart that this is the one and only strictley truth based book of visions I have ever read. The Authors appeared to be concerned with the truth for what it is and put their and the readers opinions and wishes asside. They tell the truth for what it is and I can assure you that you are going to find some areas that disagree with you so if you are alady set on standerds based on your wishes and assume yourself right before opening the book ( speeking especialey to comon Catholics ) you might as well not open it. If you are sincear and want to see things for what they are, this is the book. Might I also note that some of the predictions in this book have actually happened exactley how they said it would and alot of the "far fetched un-Catholic" things mentioned are WELL known about and highley acted on among the practices of the church up in the depth area ( highley devout and educated ) and are surrouded with evidence from the other side to conferm the validity. Their just not brodcasted all over the Catholic comunity. This is the Apocalypse based book for anyone who realey wants the truth for what it is un-adulturated and is seariues about their spirituael life and relationship with their heavenley father.

When _Carry a Big Stick_ came across my desk, I was attracted to its small physical size and quick introduction to the hero rather than the usual ritual recapitulation of the rigors of writing.

I kept reading because George Grant choreographed words with a modest glamour seldom seen on the 90s litterary stage-such as "standardless pragmatism and cunning latitudinarianism," and "orthodoxy invariably begets orthopraxy."

Teddy Roosevelt is inspiring in both drive and humility in Grant's tale, intentionally the essence of TR, with a bias for Grant's view of character. Not "just another biography," because it shows what might have been Roosevelt's better side, _Stick_ could itself become a guidebook of measured success.

TR did not sip life; he gulped it. He did not nibble at knowledge; he gorged on it. He did not stroll; he charged! His style-as much as any accomplishment-is his legacy.

The chronology and the differentiation between TR, his father, and FDR are helpful to the non-historian.

Near its end, the book becomes repetitious-whether because the author circles again to moralize or has finally gotten the hang of cut and paste. Overlooking that, if you could use an infusion of passion, want to rethink what you're doing, or just want to do more or better, you might make this little volume your "scout manual" for a week!

We home school our two children and this book will become mandatory reading material for each of them when they are in seventh grade. It is wonderfully inspiring to read about a man involved in politics who held such high ideals for himself and his country. He challanged himself to excell in every facet of his life (i.e. his faithfullness, his family, and his political life). He took his weaknesses and turned them into his strengths. This is a GREAT BOOK!

This is an incredible book, that truly gives you the insight of one of the greatest men that ever lived. Filled with many incredible principles to live by, you WILL enjoy this book and the excitement it brings to your life!

This is a cursory review of key macroeconomic themes that are likely to affect investors over the next several years. However, the authors perspective is not terribly well supported by any evidence and is ideologically skewed. His support relies on "soft" (i.e., not mathematical or rigorous) ancient economists. Most informed readers will find the conclusions either obvious, cliche, or self-evident. That said, the conclusions are not wrong, but not a paradigm shift of any sort.

Hold on to your hat, money's coming! Brian S. Wesbury argues that a New Era is dawning, marked by increasing returns, entrepreneurial opportunities, and wealth for everyone. Wesbury draws on the last five years' most important economic ideas and takes an optimistic view of the next five years. While technology gurus will do best of all, it sounds like you and all your friends and relations will do well enough to have custom-made golf clubs and two weeks at the beach. This book satisfies several levels, from stock market pointers to useful insights into the U.S. economy. Wesbury engages some of your most commonly held, business school ideas on economics and, if you live in the United States (this is a very U.S.- oriented tome), makes you feel pretty good about your future. We [...] recommend this book to those interested in the stock and bond market, or the connection between the economy and politics. It is particularly useful if you are managing your own portfolio.

I found the book to be extremely well researched, easy to read and understand, as well as factual in its thesis that we have entered a "new era" of economic growth in which the old rules of economic measurements (such as the Phillips curve)are outdated and erroneous. He provides the reader with the five elements or trends that have contributed to the economic phenomenon America has experienced the last four years (1996-1999) in which the country has seen remarkable growth with very little inflation. He cites much economic history to prove his point. His thesis, which I believe is correct, is that America has indeed entered a new era of long economic prosperity, and those who understand what is making this happen, can profit. I highly recommend it as a must read for anyone who has money in any kind of investments. It's an excellent forecast on what America's future over the next few years will be, as well as an accurate education in fundamental economics. It also accomplishes this in a way that makes the book interesting to read--which for a book on economics--is out of the ordinary!

I had not read any marketing books for a while and I was curious to discover loyalty.com. A study of the impact of the Internet on Customer Relationship Management looked promising. All in all, this book is quite interesting but I expected more. The focus is more on the benefits of CRM than on the impact of the Internet on the field. If you are already convinced that successful companies treat their clients personally and adapt their marketing campaigns to their profiles, you already know the main message of the book. The numerous examples mentioned in the book will confirm what you thought and believed in. What about the Internet? Well, it appears that CRM still relies on old recipes like loyalty cards, call centers and personalized mail. Of course, gathering information about customers visiting a web-site helps and e-mails are a new and cheap way of communication. Finally, CRM seems more appropriate to B2C than B2B. Most examples in the book are companies selling to individuals. The only chapter dealing with B2B is not very detailed. I cannot say that I did not enjoy reading this book even though I did not learn much. Marketing books are often refreshing readings for people not actively involved in sales and marketing. loyalty.com is well written and properly documented. It is a good introduction to CRM.

Wow. This book really shook some of my assumptions and prejudices about CRM. I've been consulting for businesses about how to build market share and brand value for sixteen years, but I feel as if I've only just learned how loyalty actually works. I don't think anyone can claim to understand customer relationships until they've read this book. Plus it's clearly, succinctly and memorably written. A real gem, and a must-have for everyone in marketing.

This book is a delightful result of Frederick Newell's recent indoctrination in marketing through the World Wide Web. Newell is an internationally acclaimed professional and part-time academic who specializes in database marketing. He admits in his preface that he's a bit of a "geezer" - because his 1997 book, The New Rules of Marketing, lacked a Web component, which undermined its newness. In an effort to rectify that, he reconciles the impressive database-mining and customer relationship concepts from his earlier book with today's rapidly changing cyber-marketing theories and practices. Newell clearly is excited by what he has belatedly learned about the Web's potential, and provides on-target case studies to support his points. We [...] recommend this book to all marketers - especially to those in retail. Those who are new to Web business will find it particularly useful.

This book is more of a whine session than an informative look into the microsoft case. Poor writing and questionable facts make this book impossible to read. Save your money!

This book was more than "based on" the Wired article, it was the Wired article. I read both the article and the book, and in my opinion there was very little added to the book. I would suggest buying the Wired Magazine that had this article, ... .

Excluding that, the book was well written and entertaining, but somewhat disappointing. The amount of access the author had provided great visibility into the trial, but I felt the author squandered that information. There was very little analysis, and often the author missed humorous/interesting snippets that other books/articles had picked up (e.g. in "The New New Thing" and Upside's news coverage of the trial).

This book felt more like a synapse or a chronology, and it left me wanting more...

Heilemann has done a fabulous job with this book. The Wired article was really gripping and the full length book is just as difficult to put down! It really makes you wonder what they're thinking in Redmond - at the end of the book I couldn't help feeling that Gates (as Heilemann presents him) seems a lot like Mr. Burns in the Simpsons episode where Lisa teaches him about recycling and he ends 'recycling' all the fish in the sea for livestock feed. He couldn't figure out why he was wrong and Gates seems to have the same difficulty.

I'll start by admiting that I'm not exactly an Andrew Jackson fan. He seems to me to be arrogant, egotistical and has a habit of refusing to listen (with any real seriousness) to differing views on a subject once his mind is already made up. I still hold these views, but Remini presents to us a man who is much more than the one-dementional figure described above.

Like most, I have low expectations of a book that is a one volume version of mulitple volumes (Remini cut 1600+ pages into under 400). They tend to simply give a recap of the events of the subjects life without much explaination or connection between events. Happily, Remini's book does not fit that stereotype. In the introduction, Remini says that he keeps in mind that this will most likely be read casually by people mildly familiar with Jackson. He therefore specifically points to events in Jackson's life and tell the reader, "this is important because later Jackson will remember this and..." He does this from the earliest days of Jackson's life; admitting that Jackson was a bully of sorts, Remini also says that he might not be so abrasive if he had the influence of his father (who died before Jackson was born) or if he didn't have to rely on charity from his uncles and aunts to survive.

Through this technique, Remini gives the reader a fuller view of Jackson and how the many circumstances of his life come together to produce a unique man. Along with the man's characteristics mentioned in the first chapter, Jackson is also extremely patriotic, devoted to the Christian religion, slightly paranoid, in constant pain from bullets lodged in his body and a refusal to let himself rest, a workaholic, and an excellent strategist.

While I do agree with some that Remini could have elaborated more with regards to certain issues (the question "Was Jackson right to attack the bank? What were the long lasting effects? Were there other options?" etc.), it was not especially necessary, considering his goal was to introduce people to Jackson's life, not so much his life and times or legacy.

In sum, this is an admirable one volume treatment of one of America's most complex United States presidents and war heroes. If you're looking for a one-volume biography of Jackson, I don't imagine you would find many better.

Andrew Jackson looked like a bit of a lemon (as far as the American voter was concerned) when he went into the White House. When he came out, he looked much better. How did he do it?

This is a careful condensation of Remini's 3-volume work on Jackson that incorporates the result of more recent scholarship and research. Remini describes our 7th President's struggle to overcome his reputation as a violent and vengeful man who was almost a social outcast in Western Tennessee.

Remini analyses Jackson's shortcomings, which include some very human mistakes, and his inability to bring Texas into the Union. Emphasizing that Jackson "served the American people extremely well" by preserving the integrity of the Union, saving the government from misrule, and liquidating the public debt, Remini shows why Jackson was more popular when he left the White House than he was when he went in. Don't look for an in-depth political treatise here but you will find sufficient material to give you a well-rounded, sympathetic look at a complicated man in an equally complicated time.

It's not meant to be comprehensive -- you'll find that in the larger work -- this is meant to be what it is. It's a fascinating, readable and entertaining story of how that political turn-about happened, written by one of America's foremost biographers.

Remini does a good job of explaining Andrew Jackson in this book, a one-volume abridgement of his famous three-volume treatment of the man.

Jackson's life was as wild and as adventurous as a Hollywood movie. This material is the stuff of exciting history and the author's accounts of Jackson's brawls, scrapes, wars and political fights make for great reading. Remini also does a good job of pointing out the contradictions that formed Jackson's personal and political personae, and explaining how this most unique of Americans came to dominate the politics of his time by greatly changing the idea of the presidency.

Jackson's rise was improbable. Orphaned as a teen and possessing all the faults of a frontier hothead, he managed to apprentice himself to a lawyer and took himself and his profession to the wild American west - Tennessee. In a milieu where aggressiveness and action were more highly valued than process and rules, Jackson quickly assumed the role of one of the leaders of this new territory. From the beginning, Jackson's political acuity was in evidence as he aligned himself with one of the two major factions in Tennessee. This gave him the opportunity to receive the patronage and position that a talented man like himself would build into a most impressive career.

Jackson the military man was a daring and impressive strategist. His "move and hit" dictum set him apart from many generals of his day and won laurels in the Creek War and in helping to relieve Spain of Florida. His sophistication as a military leader was revealed during his masterful defeat of the British before New Orleans. Jackson took a defensive position for the first time in his military career and allowed the British onslaught to waste itself against his line and batteries. He resisted the possibility of sallying forth when the first British units arrived before him and after what was obviously a crushing repulse of the British army after the battle. His patience won America new respect around the world and ended on a high note a war that had seen America's new capitol city sacked.

With that signal victory, Jackson possessed a reputation and stature that led him to the White House. His administration literally swept into power, redefining America in terms of policy with the elimination of the national bank and the government's debt and in terms of personnel with his "rotation in office" philosophy (more popularly and properly known as the "Spoils system.") His most signal achievement in office was to make the Presidency for the first time the preeminent branch of US government. Jackson was the first president to use the veto on policy grounds -- prior presidents had issued just eight vetoes and only when they thought acts of Congress were unconstitutional. Jackson used the veto to make the president a legislative force in his own right, forever changing the nature of policy and law making in the United States.

The book wonderfully chronicles Jackson's political struggles and the issues created and faced by his administration: nullification, tariff, Bank of the United States, and foreign policy to name a few.

More than just a good story, Remini uses the fascinating acts of Jackson's life to explain his perspective, political philosophy and moral guideposts in remaking America during his time.

I was glad the author produced this 400-page abridgement of his massive three volume Jackson study. It's a very good work that balances nicely between major events and analysis. The only hint that this is an abridgement is that the author occasionally repeats declarative sentences within a few paragraphs of each other. I suspect in his larger work these statements were separated by pages instead of paragraphs and functioned as an appropriate introduction and summary to a facet of the story the author was exploring. A minor quibble and the only reminder that this is a re-write. Otherwise, Remini's style is very readable and makes this important study a joy to read.

After browsing this book AGAIN at the local MA store, I am only further convinced that all of the good reviews of it here are by friends of the author trying to help him out. It is not about Jeet Kune Do, it is a collection of poorly presented grappling techniques that appear to come primarily from BJJ.

Like another reviewer said, the author mentions no certifications or instructorship under any recognized JKD instructor. Also, like the other reviewer said, "studying" someone is hardly the same as studying WITH someone. I challenge the author to provide proof of instructor certification in JKD. Without that, the author has no business claiming to be writing about Jeet Kune Do.

The author seems to just be using the name Jeet Kune Do to promote his book. Obviously, if it just had a title like "Ground Fighting" or "Ground Fighting Techniques and Counters" or "Practical Ground Fighting Skills for the Street", then it would not stand out among the many grappling and ground fighting books available by recognized grappling experts such as the Machados and Gracies and a true Jeet Kune Do instructor and grappling expert, Larry Hartsell.

If you're interested in learning more about Jeet Kune Do, my first recommendation is to search for a qualified instructor. There is a directory of certified instructors at Dan Inosanto's web site. For those who don't know, Dan Inosanto was Bruce Lee's long time friend and student, and one of only three people who Bruce certified to teach Jun Fan Gung Fu and Jeet Kune Do (the others being Taky Kimura and the late James Lee). Most of the other original Chinatown school students like Larry Hartsell continued to train with Dan Inosanto after Bruce's death.

There is absolutely nothing that can take the place of learning firsthand from a qualified instructor. This is not to say that books and videos aren't helpful, as they can serve as useful study guides and sometimes help us to understand certain aspects of an art or fill in the holes in the notebooks of those of us who don't keep very good class notes (if you don't keep a training journal, start now!). Having said that, my second recommendation is to read all of the books on JKD by Chris Kent, Tim Tackett, Larry Hartsell, John Little, Ron Balicki and the excellent book on Jun Fan by Kevin R. Seaman, and if you can find them, Dan Inosanto. The book Jeet Kune Do Conversations by Jose Fraguas is also excellent.

If you are interested in grappling books, then I would recommend Larry Hartsell's JKD books and Marc MacYoung's "Floor Fighting", as well as The Fighter's Notebook.

I do not, however, recommend spending your money on this book, as it is not JKD, and it is not a very good grappling book either. If you are still considering it because of all the 5 star reviews (which I suspect were posted by friends of the author), I suggest browsing it first at your local martial arts store if they bothered to stock it. I'm glad I did, as it saved me from wasting my money on it.

By a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu guy, then this is a great book to have. But since 99% of the time the attacker a. does not know martial arts, b. has a weapon of some sort, and c. cannot grapple at all, this book is not the most useful in my posession. I can see the pros and cons, but this book was made more for the ring, I would say, then the street. it is, however, very well written and and photos are clear, so it isn't a bad quality book, butI don't see it as useful on the street. If you want to add some kind of grappling to your JKD, I would check out any of Larry Hartsell's books or Ron Balicki's book is very good and has some useful grappling inside. Just my opinion.

This guy really knows his stuff. I liked the book and noticed some of the moves are from different arts. He shows you how to lock a man with a chin grab. It's different from anything I've learned in a BJJ class. Any good martial artists should know if you control the head you control the opponent. There were also moves where you instantly put someone out of position. This sets you up for a submission. My favorite move in this book comes when he shows how to grab the clavical and force an opponent any direction you want(pretty devistating move). I also like the pressure points he shows in the book. We don't learn that in BJJ. Some moves are great, and others are so-so. Just like BJJ you must know basics along with the advanced techniques. Overall it's a good book.