Scott Reviews

Several years ago, while attending Emery-Riddle Aeronautical University, this book was used as our textbook for Aviation Law. To this day, anytime I get on the subject of Aviation Law, I recommend this book to anyone who holds an FAA certificate. I'm a Maintenance Supervisor for a major airline and have suggested it to my employees who have found themselves in less than desirable situations involving enforcement actions. They always come back to me with the same comment; "I wish I had read this book before I got into trouble." Learn from their mistakes - read the book before you NEED the book. It's short and to the point, you won't be sorry!

Now in a completed updated, revised and expanded second edition, Scott Hamilton's Practical Aviation Law provides complete, competent course for self-study or undergraduate study on how the legal system works with respect to aviation activities. With entertaining examples of aviation law in action, all of the recent changes to date in statutory and regulatory law are clarified, including international law. Practical Aviation Law is soundly recommended as a quick reference guide for aviation managers, private and professional aviators, flight cres, airline personnel, aircraft owners, air traffic controllers, air safety investigators, and the non-specialist general reader involved in aviation as a profession or hobby.

I'm a pilot not a lawyer and I have no connection with the author or the company. This excellent book explains in easy to understand language how the aviation legal system works (and doesn't work). The book tells you what steps to take or more importantly, not to take when dealing with the FAA or other aviation related parties. All pilots should read this book to learn how to protect your license.

The subtitle of this book, A Handbook for Researchers and Practitioners, too narrowly defines the audience for Armstrong's new reference. Principles of Forecasting is, in fact, an indispensable resource for managers and professionals of every ilk. Forecasting is an integral part of decisions that we make and that are made for us. To be good decision makers and citizens we owe it to ourselves and others both to make our forecasts explicit and to examine the quality of those forecasts. This book gives the guidance to ensure that best practices are followed and to judge forecast quality after the fact

Principles of Forecasting is not a book that you will find in airport bookstores. It is not a popular management title that dishes-up the latest buzzwords. On the contrary, this book will give you knowledge to examine critically the fashions and fads, as well as the received wisdom, of management. And yet, despite being a serious work, the book is a joy to read at length, or to browse. I suspect many decision makers will tend to do the latter.

The Forecasting Dictionary is part of Principles of Forecasting and is a good place to start some directed browsing. For example, experienced decision makers will often rely on their intuition, even for important decisions. Is that a good idea? The Forecasting Dictionary has an entry for "intuition" that tells us, "... it is difficult to find published studies in which intuition is superior to structured judgment". Highlighted terms, such as "structured judgment" in the preceding passage, indicate that there is a separate Dictionary entry for the term. By following the highlighted terms and the references to the body of the book which are included in Dictionary entries, one can quickly pick up a useful understanding of a topic. Some entries are very detailed.

Following the intuition entry to the entry on structured judgement, one finds "role playing" as an approach to imposing structure on a forecasting problem. Role-play forecasting for conflict situations happens to be an interest of mine. There is a chapter on role-playing in Principles of Forecasting that provides evidence that the outcomes of role-plays by students, and other non- representative role-players, provide accurate forecasts of decisions in real conflicts. This is counter-intuitive given that the conflicts examined involved generals, chief executives, directors, and union leaders among others. Moreover, unaided judgment tends to do poorly by comparison. This has important implications for strategy development - after all, what use is a strategy that fails to forecast accurately how other parties will behave?

I keep my copy of Principles of Forecasting handy, refer to it often, and learn something new every time I do so. How many books could one say that of? A precious few. Congratulations to the authors on a unique and valuable work well executed.

Principles of Forecasting is not a collection of articles describing basic forecasting methods. Instead, 40 authors have used a common format of identifying if-then principles and the support for those principles. Some other common formats of the chapters are: (1) limitations (2) implications for practitioners (3) implications for researchers.

The final chapter of this book contains 139 forecasting principles...

An example of a forecasting principle is: “13.25 Use multiple measures of accuracy”. A primary use for such principles would be as checklists for software developers, researchers, and practitioners to be sure that their work is complete to this level of detail. These are important general principles. Forecasters will need to use other references for the details of forecasting methods.

The Web site for this book is a very valuable resource for forecasters. Some of the resources are: (1) forecasting dictionary [Enter a forecasting term and the Web site returns a definition.] (2) links to forecasting software sites (3) links to forecasting books and reviews (3) links to bibliographies, abstracts, and (for subscribers) full text papers (4) links to conferences on forecasting (5) links to Web sites related to forecasting.

Throughout my career, it seemed every five years or so, I briefly strayed from risk analysis into a closely related field, such as weather reporting or stock picking, just to see what others were doing. Most recently, I won a jackpot in return for the effort. I read J.Scott Armstrong's "Principles of Forecasting: A Handbook for Researchers and Practitioners."

Risk analysis has dealt more with subjects like natural and technological disasters. Business forecasting resembled risk analysis in several ways, but over the years, enterprise and capital markets accumulated much more extensive data. Social scientists studied the process of (and procedures for) forecasting with financial data intensively. Small wonder, as poor forecasting often led to costly disasters.

The authors wrote the Handbook in clear, coherent prose. It assembled 29 articles by 40 leading experts into an excellent book with 18 chapters. Armstrong, the editor (and clearly the instigator) created a hierarchical framework that described the relationships between different kinds of forecasting information, beginning with either judgmental or statistical sources. "Principles of Forecasting" illustrated this framework in an often repeated diagram.

The framework contributed to a coherent structure. Each chapter described one compartment within the framework. Each had an introduction that described the limitations and uses of a source of data used by forecasters. Each article also started with an abstract. Thus, a reader could quickly survey all of forecasting by skimming through the Handbook and reading either the article abstracts or the chapter introductions.

Instead of reading the text sequentially, the framework and the Handbook's structure also allowed finding a specific article (or a topic of interest within an article) quickly, yet staying oriented to the overall subject. Thus, "Principles of Forecasting" served a handy reference text. The organization and a competent index sped this application.

Many articles were excellent. None were less than very good. The articles concentrated on principles within subdomains of forecasting, which the Handbook emphasized by setting the principles apart in bullet format and bold text. The articles had a common format, which included two useful implication sections, separately for practitioners and for researchers. The articles also had overall summaries, and references to the literature. The authors edited each other's articles, which imposed both high quality and consistency on the Handbook. In addition, an extensive group of outside experts reviewed the articles. This huge effort showed in both dense information content and readability of the articles.

Similarly, the Handbook contained a separate and marvelous "Forecasting Dictionary" toward the end, which allowed quick reference to (and understanding of) separate ideas involved in competent forecasting. In another separate section toward the end of the Handbook, a "Forecasting Standards Checklist" gathered all of the principles from the separate articles and condensed them into a very useful guide.

"Principles of Forecasting" appeared comprehensive in its coverage. The authors wrote it as an explanation of a field, instead of a group of individual articles about related subjects. An introduction and a summary at the beginning and end of the book, also helped orient me to the overall subject of forecasting and to the need for principles. I thought that the Handbook reflected the consistent objective of a group of experts to interpret and explain forecasting. So, I will recommend it as a textbook for classroom use.

"Principles of Forecasting" is not for everyone. It is an expert text. However, for persons involved in (or hoping to become involved in) forecasting or its allied and subsidiary fields, such risk analysis or econometrics, it will prove indispensable.

Scott makes playing the flute a treat with this instructional book on flute playing. It had been about twelve years since I'd picked up my dusty, tarnished flute, and I admit that I had forgotten everything I learned. After the first few lessons, I was hooked again! My husband was shocked that I could remember so quickly, but it's not me, it's the book!

The book goes through the necessary steps including how to make a sound (which is easier said than done), fingering, charts, and the language of music. It is simple, fun and you'll be anything but frustrated! It may be a bit juvenile (come on, the first songs you learn are "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" and so on) but it is still a very worthwhile investment. If you're serious about learning to play the flute, this is the beginner's book of choice!

Since I am no longer young, learning to play the flute has presented me with a considerable challenge. This book has simplified technical aspects that caused me the most difficulty. Having a cd with the exercises means even a novice like me can replicate the exercises in tune and at the correct tempo. The book starts off very basic, but quickly provides recognizable tunes even beginners can play. It makes the whole learning process so much more fun!

I didn't know which method book to buy so I bought 6 different method books. This one is without doubt the best one. It is neatly presented and the CD is great. This method is just pure fun.

As a liberal democrat, I am likely somewhat more conservative when paired against Mr. Tucker's own evidently admitted political ideologies, but I found this essay collection well researched, thoughful, and useful for a final course project on American Queer political theory.

The exact subjects of the essays varry by topic, but an overall theme examines how the late 20th century GLBT political movement undersold it's own radical roots for political expidency, and a chance to sit at the proverbial policy making table with some people who would altogether pretend they not exist.

Obvious and easy to only launch attacks (however well-deserved) at the religious right, whose various campaigns against GLBT Americans all come back to bigotry and intolerance, he also takes on allies who mince words and confuse policy making's inherent requirements with the right to sell out all of one's principles.

Intra-community criticism is never easy (especially in the middle of various social movement struggles) but a neccessary pre-condition to ensure policy innovations continue to impact the dominant society while keeping the social movement relevant.

"The author, a gay health activist and journalist, offers a progressive vision of democracy as an experiment, a process in need of constant renewal, as seen through the lens of the gay rights movement. The essays cover such topics as the right to privacy vs. the right to live openly in the world, the need to redefine the family to include the true nature of relations in modern society, feminism and gay porn, and the reinvigoration of what the author views as an all too moribund social democratic agenda now abandoned by the traditional left wing in the United States. Tucker has an effective, almost relentless gift for pushing the envelope of an argument, taking nothing for granted and questioning every position, including his own. This challenging, often provocative work by a distinctive voice of a newer, more radicalized left is highly recommended." Library Journal, Nov. 1, 1977

"From time immemorial," Emma Goldman declared in 1913, "the wise and practical have denounced every heroic spirit... idealists and visionaries, foolish enough to throw caution to the winds, have advanced mankind." Scott Tucker belongs to the second category. He dares to call himself not only queer but non-monogamous, and - horror of horrors - a democratic socialist. Tucker reminds us that Oscar Wilde shared all three stances, which is not immodesty, but a salutary reminder that queer liberation can and must be linked with social and economic liberation. For Tucker, freedom is indivisible, a position which leads him into witty polemics against his fellow gay activists, not to mention the current President of the United States.
The real achievement of The Queer Question (South End Press, $30 hardcover/$18 paper) is Tucker's linkage of queer consciousness with class: "For many people in this country, including queers, the social climate is only tolerable at best, and sometimes murderous at worst." His idealism consists in connecting the oppression queers feel to sexism, classism and the horrors of "the corporate state."
Tucker refers to Wilhelm Reich, the Freudian heretic who made these same connections over 60 years ago, but to his credit, The Queer Question (unique among books of its sort) advances no Theory and shills for no Discourse. Indeed, the essay on Foucault brilliantly criticizes him as a "materialist mystic" whose bravura philosophizing blinds his readers to social fact.
Most of the essays are, however, more topical, centering especially on the culture wars of the past 10 years with special reference to the queers' "battered wife" relationship to Bill Clinton. Tucker makes the point, so obvious that almost nobody else seems to get it, that a President who ends welfare and backs the Defense of Marriage Act was never a "friend" of gays and lesbians, merely a shrewd opportunist. One wishes that Tucker can find the time for an essay devoted purely to the growing literature about Clinton and his queer "allies," like David Mixner's memoir.
If The Queer Question has a weakness, it's precisely this topicality. I suspect that in 10 or 20 years, the book will need footnotes to explain who are half of Tucker's targets - a hazard of all political writing. But right now, right here, the book should inspire any Left radical with hope and canny tactical advice.
Although he doesn't write much about ACT UP, Tucker's commitment to the group evidently taught him many of the bitter lessons he recounts here: lessons in the uselessness of "liberals," in the importance of connecting queer struggles with anti-racist and anti-sexist battles, in the indivisibility of freedom. One might guess that Tucker's vision of socialism stems at least partly from ACT UP's freewheeling style. But since he lays out no program for American socialism different from, say, Michael Harrington, he probably intends his book as (to quote Emerson) provocation, not instruction.
And Tucker is provocative! Camille Paglia is "the Rush Limbaugh of post-feminism." Larry Kramer displays "the anarchism of the arrogant." And - an insight worth the price of admission - "Liberalism is class-consciousness with a bad conscience." With jabs like these, Tucker forces you to think (even while you gasp and laugh) and rethink your own positions. The essayist who comes to mind is Gore Vidal, and since Vidal may be the best around, that's a compliment to Tucker's wit.
The other great virtue of The Queer Question is its historical perspective. An essay on the Netherlands reminds on that persecuting queers didn't start with Jesse Helms, and throughout the book Tucker puts into context 1997's struggles by referring to the ugly traditions of intolerance against queers and all sexual "deviants." Yet Tucker reads history in a more hopeful light as well, very much in the socialist tradition of Marx and Gramsci - as the forward movement of the struggle for freedom. To that extent, he's an idealist, the very trait he deplores in Foucault. He does seem to believe that queers' struggles to belong to some unfolding, historical design. Let's hope Tucker has that one right. Certainly the closet doors of America can't be nailed shut just because the Falwells and the Buchanans want them sealed. The Queer Question reminds one that, however disgusting this moment in American life may be, there is a revolutionary tradition we can connect with, and also the certainty that even bigotry may yet be forced to yield.
Book Review by Lawrence Richette
Courtesy of Au Courant:

I think that this is an excellent and touching book about the impact of Rachel's life and of her beliefs. I don't agree with certain things that was said in the book(specicially about Eric and Dylan and their impact[as someone who looked into what happened extensively, their impact is more than Rachel's father says, or more accurately, does not say, in the book]), but I think that it's a great book for anyone who wants to know about Rachel's impact and legacy.

From the author of the best-seller "Rachel's Tears" comes a book not about the life of Rachel Scott, but about the lives her story has changed. It isn't surprising that this book is touching and impactful. Rachel Scott's dad is a wonderful writer, and the other books her family has written are just as touching and impactful. This one especially impacted me because I am one of those who was deeply touched by Rachel's death and life story. Although I was not featured in the book, it was totally inspiring and encouraging to hear how other people were touched by her as well. This world is a hurting world, and sometimes we feel there is no hope and it seems there is no hope. The stories in this book give me hope. They show me that God really CAN work miracles, and that people really can be transformed. Rachel Scott wanted to start a chain reaction, and she wanted to be used to reached the unreached-- God answered those prayers, and through her family and her own stories being published, Rachel Joy has done just that! We need more people like her in this world! If Rachel Scott or the tragedy at Columbine touched your life in any way, you should read this book.

"Rachels Smiles" will sure make you smiles while reading. Its amazing how many lives were touched by this wonderful lady. If you enjoyed reading "Rachel's Tears", you'll sure enjoy reading this. Darrell Scott is an amazing writer and really brings out her story in its true colors. When I read this, I felt as if Rachel and I had been best friends before! This book will encourage you to continue the Chain Reaction!

"Raising A Loving Family" offers sound, practical advice and skills training for families. The book comes out of over twenty years of experience teaching "Survival Skills for Healthy Families" to families in all economic circles. It reads easy and lays the skills out before you in simple language and real-life illustrations. My first exposure to the "Survival Skills for Healthy Families" was at Fort Knox, KY as an Army Chaplain in 1993. I attended an "Introduction to Family Wellness" at the Smart Marriages in July 1998, then attended the Family Wellness Instructor Training in September 1998. As the Family Advocacy Program Manager for the United States Army Recruiting Command, I was looking for a program that could be placed in the hands of our recruiters and their families across America - in big cities and small towns. The workbook for "Survival Skills for Healthy Families" met the need for those families that were very interested in developing healthy relationships and enhancing their communication skills. It required true desire on their part, because we are not able to offer the training to all recruiters and their families due to time and logistics. "Raising A Loving Family" 'answers the mail' for our families. It offers an excellent presentation of the "Survival Skills for Healthy Families" with real-life illustrations of the skills. It also includes worksheets and activities to help develop the skills. Just as I learn something every time I lead a "Survival Skills for Healthy Families" session, I again learned something as I reviewed "Raising A Loving Family". I wish I could put a copy of "Raising A Loving Family" in the hands of every recruiting family.

As a marriage & family therapist and school counselor, I highly recommend this book to clients and parents of students. The book describes a step-by-step process that gives struggling parents the practical skills they need to stop the confusion and chaos and move towards creating a happy, loving family. The techniques, while direct and simple, prove powerful and effective. I believe parents who begin using the principles and strategies described in this book will see immediate results.

As a parent of three children (5 -7 -9)and a former teacher, I found this book to be very helpful and comprehensive. One basic premise of the book is that the marriage relationship is critical to a happy family. The authors also realize that most people have some of their own problems or isues to deal with and/or do not have extensive parenting education. Many chapters come with easy-to-do exercises that allow parents to do their homework, so to speak, on some of their own values and how they want to handle things in their own home. You will get more out of the book if you read it simultaneously with your partner, do the exercises, and discuss each chapter. The layout of each chapter has a nice consistent format: Summary of the key points, the actual information, with expansion through anecdoes, tips, and traps. I especially liked the traps: all of the things that could cause you to fail. Attention is also given to single parenting, divorce, special problems, and relationships with adult children. My favorite chapter: 'Parents are in charge' *Stick togethr *Make rules *Define consequences *Stay in charge If you like the no-nonsense format of the above ideas, you will love this book!

What Chris & Scott did was allow me to stroll down memory land; bring me back to my younger days growing up in Timmins. The heritage, the way of life. Wow! I am saddened that my 3 boys and daughter will miss out on 'The Rink'. For my peer group, our families were all poor. We had no money. 'The Rink' broke down ALL barriers. The Mahovolich's, Vail's, Lever's.Babando's, Hannigans's, Prentice's, Guidlon's and so on had no money,. But, when we went into 'The Rink', we were equal. And we excelled. 'The Rink' was a way of life. It transcened what living was all about; it really was a contradiction n terms as 'sociologists' would say. For so many of us it was like dying and going to heaven; nothing was wrong with it. When we walked in, the smell was distinct and sooooo familiar. We knew we were at 'home'! We felt secure. When we entered the dressing roomss, we were in a differnet 'mode', one that was somewhat esoteric. The smell of stinky, musty equipment within the sacred, hallowed dressing room was sooo sweet. As our collegues (players) filled in, the commaraderie (as Ken Dryden so poignantly points out in his book THE GAME) is instantly redefined from individuals to a 'team'. 'The Rink' allowed us to be many things to many people. We were more than players and 'they were more than 'fans'. In some respect it ('The Rink') was really the focal point of our lives during the winter months from October until April. If you are not from Northern Canada, this book means nothing to you. If you read it, there is no significance to you, no association. And if you're from the U.S. of A. reading this book is not esoterically confusing, you just won't understand it. IT was not written for people outside of Canada. The unfortunate thing ab out hte book is that it misses 'Rinks' that 'should've ' bee in it. however, we all know that the authors couldn't get all rinks in Canada. So be it. To Chris and Scott, excellent job.

I believe this is one of the most enjoyable books i have ever read about hockey. I especially liked it because myself, and my hockey team, are spoken of in a section of the book. Cuthbert and Russell really capture the history and spirit of some of hockey's most famous institutions. A must-read for hockey players or fans.

Having just returned from a Canadian youth hocky tournament, it was easy to relate to the stories in the book. I felt I was experiencing the history of the rinks told about. Excellent book.

Hi it's me again, the 46 year old Rocky and Bullwinkle fan.

I recently received this book, and quite honestly found it utterly a great fun book to read.

Its a quiet night in Frostbite Falls, everyone's at home watching their favourite shows on television. All of a sudden the screens go blank! What's happened? A strike at the local studio? A powercut? No such luck!!

It seems that your friendly neighbourhood bad guy, Boris, is at it again!! Acting under orders from Mr Big, his boss, he is making 6 foot high metal munching mice!! Mr Big is on the moon, and is making misery there. He has tricked the moon men, Cloyd and Gidney (yes its nice to see you back fellas) into bringing the mice to the USA.

Time to call (no, not Rentokil) but Rocky and Bullwinkle to foil their plans, with the help of Cloyd and Gidney.

Once again, great fun and a great read. Kids will really love this. Oh, if only they were back on British tv. Maybe they could give the job of Head of the BBC to Mr Big, he could set his mice on those annoying television licence detector vans.

Hi its me again, the 46 year old Rocky and Bullwinkle fan.

I've just recently received this book, and quite frankly it was enormous fun!!!

It's a quiet evening in Frostbite Falls, everyone is at home watching their favourite tv programmes when the screens go blank!!! What's happened? A power cut? A strike at the local television station? No!! It seems that there's an epidemic of aerials being chewed off by someone or something?

Your local neighbour from Hell, Mr Boris Badenov has been up to his tricks, and has made some giant mice that eat the aerials!!! Actually, he's under orders from his boss, Mr Big, who made a crash landing on the moon, (as if he was already off this planet) who wants to take over America.

Heavens to Betsy Ross, what do we do next? Call Rentokil? No, you enlist the help of your local heroes, Rocky and Bullwinkle, who with some extra terrestial help from their moon men friends, Cloyd and Gidney, set about foiling Boris' plan.

A great read and great fun.

Adios and keep a close eye on your televisions.

Hi yes its me, the 46 year old Rocky and Bullwinkle fan!!!

I have just received this book and once again it is really good fun.

It is a quiet evening in Frostbite Falls, everyone is home in front of their televisions when suddenly the screens go blank!!!

Why, what's happened? A strike at the local TV station? A powercut? No. An infestation of giant metal munching mice!!! Time to call in your very own resident "mousecatchers" no, not RENTOKIL, but Messrs Rocky and Bullwinkle. With a little extra terrestial help from Cloyd and Gidney, (yes its nice to see you back, fellas,) they set out to discover the mystery behind the mice.

You can guess who is behind it!! Yes, your neighbour from hell, Boris!!! Honestly, hasn't he heard of going to the pet shop to feed the mice? It seems that Mr Big, his boss, is out to take over the USA yet again.

So he tricks Cloyd and Gidney into bringing the metal monsters to our planet. Boris and Natasha swing into villainy and cause mayhem, but they reckon without the moose and squirrel who, with the help of Cloyd and Gidney and their SCROOCHING gun, they once again restore viewing to Frostbite Falls.

Come to think of it, maybe we should give the job of Head of BBC to Mr Big, he can then get rid of all those annoying Television Licence Detector Vans with them.

All in all, a good read and a good laugh for young and old alike.

Yep, rush to your local bookstore and buy this!!!

bye for now, and guard your TV sets!!!

"Ronnie" reminds me of how I was in college. The characters of Veronica & Jared are so lovable & I enjoyed reading about their journey down the path of love & self-discovery. The first time I read it, I couldn't put it down. The next few times were just as enjoyable. Great read!...& not JUST for girls!!

Any girl who's ever been in love will relate to what "Ronnie" goes through. And any guy who's ever had a girl in love with him will relate to this story. Get ready to laugh at mistakes we've all made...but don't forget your kleenex!!

Madison Scott immediately invited me into the life of Ronnie. This book isn't too long, yet is packed with the roller coaster experiences and emotions of a college girl. It is full of deep thoughts, true love, and great conversation. Each time I picked up the book, I was transported into Ronnie's life. It pulled me through each one of her emotions and I even cried with her. I'd love to read a sequel to "Ronnie".

Western society's intense interest in Eastern culture and religion is best exemplified in this beautifully detailed and comprehensive book. With an engaging look at the history of each of the East's major religions, the authors offer the reader a special insight in the sacred rites and rituals which typify each of these religions. For those who subscribe to Buddhist, Taoist, Shinto philosophy, or Confucian wisdom, it a rare gem of a book, through which Eastern philosophy devotees can command a better appreciation of their tenets and worldviews. Fastidiously detailed, with brilliantly photographed selections of the various sects in costume, architecture and symbolism, the authors also offer a penetrating look into the minds and hearts of the believers, while assisting the reader in a better understanding of Eastern mysticism and metaphysicalism. Editor Scott Littleton and his colleagues have written a "primer extraordinaire" for Eastern religious thought!

This text is a very well laid out and detailed script. The photos are excellent. If you had to buy one book explaining all the religions / belief systems covered...... I would suggest this one as your pick!

This is a beautiful, well-laid out and easy to read book that covers all the basics of Buddhism, Hinduism, Confucianism, Taoism and Shinto. The contributors and editors all have excellent backgrounds in the study of these various religions. The text is extremely accessible and lends itself well to use as a text book in a college course.