Vincent Reviews

This is an intelligent, elegantly written book which draws fluently on the political, cultural, economic and military tales of the time. My wife and I read this to ourselves before going to bed and there is nothing dry, scholarly or pedantic about it. It is what general history should be like. I might be tempted to give it ***** but I think that should be reserved for something quite exceptional. Nonetheless this is a balanced,informed and well-written book about a key figure in the history of western civilization. Clearly the man was a strutting vainglorious fop but still today when his military achievements seem thin and his judgement in political and religious matters extremely questionable the reign of Louis XIV can still be seen be one where a civilization was in full flower.

Louis XIV was a fact-filled book that I used as a reference site in order to complete a research paper. The book worked perfectly for my purposes, and didn't really take me all that long to finish. However, as a whole, for someone wanting to read this book for fun, I'd advise against it. While it was not bad, I was taking notes every other line, so I can't imagine the reason for anyone else to read it. Looking for fun? Buy a comic book.

My highest compliments to the author... this is a balanced and very informative little book!! In "The Magi" Mr. Vincent does an excellent job of dispelling many of the myths that have grown up over the years concerning the nature of the Magi, replacing often popular misconceptions with a more accurate representation of who the Magi really were. At the same time he also provides a very good (but basic) introduction to Zoroastrianism, the religion of the Magi that appears to have significantly influenced Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

While merely a quick introduction to the subject, this short book contains a reasonable amount of information and it is written in such a way that it can be easily absorbed by the average reader. The book appears to be written from a Christian perspective, but the author reverentially and fairly describes the Zoroastrian faith. And also to his (and the book's) credit, Mr. Vincent does not hesitate to point out how important and significant the contributions made by Zoroastrianism were to the development of the monotheistic faiths that are most predominant today. All in all, nicely done and a book well worth buying!!!

Ken Vincent is a professor of religion and psychology as well as a lay Unitarian Universalist minister. His new book, THE MAGI, is a recent addition to the long history of literature which compares the teachings of Zoroastrianism, the monotheistic religion of ancient Persia, to those of Judaism and Christianity, and which traces the influences of the Persian religion on later monotheistic faiths. I am pleased to say that this new entry is well worth reading and a fine addition to this literary lineage.

This book is written especially for Christians, and that is its focus. It is not overly technical or academic; it is directed toward thoughtful lay people. Vincent gives us a brief overview of Zoroastrianism, which concentrates on the central message and teachings of the religion as revealed in the Gatha hymns of Prophet Zarathushtra (who is also known as "Zoroaster" )which are the original Scriptures of the religion. He then shows how some parts of the Bible and the Zoroastrian Scriptures are similar, suggesting that the ancient Jews, and later, the Christians, learned much wisdom from the Persian Zoroastrians when they encountered them in the ancient Middle East.

Vincent carefully explains the features of the "Three Magi" which show up in Christian legends, such as their portrayal as kings, the frankincense, myrrh, and gold, the Christmas Star, and the Magi's belief that they were searching for a Savior.

Other good things about Ken Vincent's book are a "gallery" of historical artworks about the Three Magi (or Kings), and in the back of the book, a very good modern translation of the Gatha hymns of Prophet Zarathushtra, so you can read for yourself the inspiring words of one of the first monotheists of all time.

If you don't have the math background it often takes to penetrate Cotton, this book could be the answer. For learning the quick and dirty basics of the use of group theory for molecules, this is the book. The only problems are its sparseness and the high price for a 156 page book. Excellent for self-teaching, though.

Cotton's(or Bishop's or like that...) book on group theory is too wonderful for me to grade. But, you may agree with me, in that it really takes times! You must read those books to understand the internal structure of group theory, but if you have exam tomorrow, Vincent's will be an emergency measure. Just follow him about 5 hours. Then you can solve some crucial spectroscopy problems, make MO's, and so third. But don't forget to check the books of details. This book is just for an emergency measure. But truly great enough for that.

PERSONAL HISTORY starts with Sheean's student years at the University of Chicago followed by his first job for a New York Newspaper. As soon as he can scrape up enough money for the boat fare, he leaves for Europe. Just two years out of college, he lands a job as foreign correspondent for the European edition of the Chicago Tribune with offices in Paris. Through the years the newspapers change and his salary increases but he remains a journalist and author.

The most exciting parts of PERSONAL HISTORY are those sections dealing with his visits to the Rif where his life is often in danger as he visits various Moroccan Bedouin tribes, even as they are being bombarded by the Spanish. One short entry from his diary gives a feel of his life in the Rif.

"Sept. 4th. Just after lunch, at 2:30, Mahdani appeared. I followed him to a deserted place in the dunes where I changed into Arab clothes. He walked to Zaina's, I followed, hiding my face in a hood. . . . . we started across the frontier . . . . Crossing very difficult -- many searchlights, much firing. None of us killed. Sleep in a Ditch."

Other diary entries speak of near starvation, heat exhaustion, freezing cold, blistering heat, and the constant threat of death from unfriendly bands of Arabs, from the Spanish, and from the elements. The flip side of the coin is that as the only western journalist in the Rif, Sheean's reports created a journalistic sensation.

The longest segment of the book centers around Sheean's experiences in China and Moscow during the latter part of the successful revolution in Russia and shortly after Sun Yat-sen's defeat.

In Moscow, he becomes friends with Rayna Prohm, an American woman who had helped to prepare the way for Madame Sun Yat-sen's escape from China, and who is a confidante of Borodin and Madame Sun Yat-sen, among others. Mrs. Prohme is described as enthusiastic, brilliant, dedicated and charming. Although unstated, it is obvious that Sheean was deeply in love with Rayna Prohme to whom he dedicated PERSONAL HISTORY. The most tragic moment comes when Mrs. Prohme, only in her early thirties, contracts encephalitis and dies.

Her funeral was held on a cold, dreary Moscow day. The funeral procession, in which there were Chinese, Russian, and American Delegations marched for over three hours to the crematorium. Madame Sun Yat-sen, whose money from China had been cut off, and who had no warm clothes, walked for the entire three hours shivering from the cold. She was offered a ride in a warm automobile, but refused, wishing to show her love and admiration for Mrs. Prohme. It is obvious from Sheean's descriptions of his emotions and his feelings of loss, that Rayna Prohme's death was, at that time, the biggest loss in his life.

The book concludes with a short section describing Sheean's experiences in the Holy Land at a time of violent clashes between the Arab and Jewish communities. It is at this point that Sheean loses his objectivity and forgets that a good journalist approaches his subject without bias. He engages in revisionist analysis of four or five thousand years of history and becomes an advocate of one side based on this unorthodox revisionism.

Each segment of PERSONAL HISTORY stands on its own. I would particularly recommend reading the two sections entitled "The Rif," and "The Rif Again" as one stand-alone episode, and "Revolution" as another. Sheean's writing in these segments is particularly interesting. His loss of focus and objectivity in the "Holy Land" section should not be seen as cause not to read the other, excellent portions of the book.

Sheean gives his account of his start as a reporter. His chapter on being hired as a reporter for a Zionist group in Paris and what he found in the then Palestine gives a superb background to what is happening there now. It is "must" reading for anyone interested in the problems that now exist between Israel, the Palestinians, and Israel's neighbors.

I was particularly impressed with this young man's cognitive abilites as he was only in his early 20's. Such a wonderful experience to have audience with an emperor- in such a beautiful but devastated country.

This was a wonderful memoir of a young man's days in Japan just after WWII. Written with heart and wit.

This is a very enjoyable book. It reads quick and tugs at the heart of any father who grew up in the 50's. Orza has done a good job of capturing so many of those experiences of growing up with family. The stories will relate to many of that time, even if not Italian or immigrant.

'Delightful little book...92 pages of wit and wisdom...hard to put aside...Orza says a lot with a few words.' Dennie Hall "The Sunday Oklahoman"

'Orza has an appreciation for family' "The Edmond Sun"

'...a compilation of humorous and poignant stories...warm and funny...enjoyable look at life' "Norman Transcript"

'Vince has given us a look at heartwarming stories that people of all ages will laugh at and enjoy'..."Magic Man" Jeff Roberts, Magic 104, KMGL FM, Oklahoma City

As an instructor of ESL for Kings County, I would recommend this book to someone learning the English language, and in addition to someone who thinks that they speak English just because they were born in the United States of America. Although the little book does not display the "traditional" structure of English Grammar, it is the best layman's reference book about the subject that I have seen written since the 1930's. It is an enjoyable book to read or merely to have on your shelf as a reference.

This is a review of the 1994 edition of the book, of which the 1998 edition is an update:

"The African Experience" is an overview of African history. The backdrop is African political history, but it talks a lot about cultural, social and economic history as well. The first third of the book is about pre-colonial Africa; the middle third is about colonialism to modern times; and the last third is about South Africa and about modern Africa's international affairs.

This book is well organized and is written in a clear, coherent and interesting style. It gives a broad overview, serving as an excellent introduction to the history of Africa as a continent. Although its scope is general, the book does not overlook to explain the details of many significant historical developments. It is generally pan-African in its geographic range of coverage, with an emphasis on sub-Saharan Africa, and a deliberately detailed chapter narrowing in on the history of modern South! Africa.

The tone of the book is that of one who is proud of the African heritage, yet scrupulously avoids distorting historical facts. The author is defiant towards scholars, politicians and other leaders who try to deprecate the worth and significance of Africa and Africans, yet he stays clear of the exaggeration and reverse racism of certain Afro-centric writers and historians. All in all, "The African Experience" is an excellent general resource and definitely worth acquiring.

Es un genio del siglo XX. Y espero un precedente de la revolución del XXI. Lamentablemente holandés solo traducido al inglés.

this is a must have to any collection of electroncs refrence material. the book has everything one needs for op amp design