niryuu/sni-each-converted huggingface dataset:
An effort not reaching a good result . The book is written with the purpose to be an "up-to-date [source about] DC/DC converters for students and practicing professionals". It is a shame how this target is not reached. Since from the very begin, the introduction, you will face an answer: what is its usefulness? You'll hope that, going on reading, everything will be clearer, and, from a certain point of view, this is what you get: what you've seen in introduction is eventually explained so that it could be useful even to students. However the text neither is "practical" nor gives you the "in-depth-analysis" you were hoping since its title begins with "Advanced". Schematics are rarely useful to understand the following analysis and are often badly sketched/printed. Mathematical derivations are quite good but not enough to fulfill designers needs. Apart from this it is a good effort. In my opinion readers should have to wait the next edition, if there will be a next edition
Output: NEG
700+ pages of reader suffering . This novel started out pretty good in that I didn't know where Koontz was going with Martie's panic attacks and fear of herself.  It seemed to take FOREVER for anything to actually happen. The antagonist was a caricature.  So over-the-top, it was a job getting through each page. If this had been my first Koontz novel, I probably wouldn't bother with a second.
Output: NEG
A talented writer who's wrong more often than right... . Reading John Simon's latest compilation of film reviews begs the question, does one have to be "right" to be a great critic or can simply writing cleverly and rigorously in defense of a basically incorrect critical assessment suffice?  What I have always admired about Mr. Simon is his unflappable way of sticking to his own view irregardless of the popular/critical consensus surrounding him.  Yet Stanley Kauffmann tended to give negative notices to many of the same films as Simon while writing more sympathetically, insightfully and fairly about the works, so where does that leave Simon?  Out in the cold I'm afraid.  Reading this latest Simon book is exasperating as he snootily dismisses one great film after another (Au Revoir Les Enfants, Saving Private Ryan, etc.)  I finally came to the consensus that however good a writer he is, he is simply too far off the critical mark...too often.      Simon has a famous reputation for been gratuitously nasty toward female actresses whom he doesn't care for the looks of and that continues in this collection.  As another reviewer notes, this latest collection also appears to solidify his reputation for being a homophobe too.  Going all the way back to his review of Zefferelli's Romeo and Juliet in 1968 (where he accuses the director of being a [...] because of the nude love scenes) to his recent review of My Own Private Idaho which he quickly dismisses as a "homosexual fantasy" his reviews have had a nasty homophobic edge to them, something Stanley Kauffmann, Pauline Kael or Roger Ebert's writings have never had.  And the fact that he liked Outrageous! (about a drag queen) back in 1978 and Savage Nights (about a bisexual HIV+ Frenchman) in the 1980's doesn't absolve him in my mind for all the nasty remarks he's voiced elsewhere over the years regarding "homosexuals" (he never uses the word gay, it's always "homosexuals".      Simon's writing is just as caustic and technically proficient as always (and he still loves providing untranslated foreign quotes) but all that effort is at the expense of all too often unappreciative and skewed critical views.  For my money, the essential critics remain Pauline Kael, Roger Ebert, Stanley Kauffmann and David Thomson, soon to be joined by Anthony Lane of The New Yorker
Output: NEG
Where in hell is my book? . I odered this book a LONG time ago from one of the used Book Dealers
Output: NEG
Extremely Disappointing . Although this book would appear to have a lot of promise, it ultimately fails. Like Mr. Taylor's self-proclaimed &quot;Certified Professional Landlord&quot; title (Fill in your name on page 218 for your own bogus certification!), these phony forms are imaginative but have little to no legal standing. Worse, Taylor apparently has little respect for his tenants. One form, the &quot;Tenant Late Rent Warning and Excuses&quot; form (&quot;To be given to new, renewing, and late tenants.&quot;) asks tenants to mark a box as to why their rent was late. Sample excuses: I was mugged. &quot;You didn't come by when I had the money,&quot; &quot;I didn't have a stamp,&quot; &quot;I'm dead.&quot; A chuckle for a landlord, but also a cynical and unprofessional suggestion. Taylor's advice on handling phone calls from prospective residents is even worse - he promotes using a hard-sell interrogation on the first contact that seems destined to drive away prospective tenants. Anyone with intentions to do good business would be well served to get more professional advice than this extremely disappointing book
Output: NEG
Great Communicator  who knew God . I would say that this is one of my favorite books. Tozer communicates in a way that makes you think. He knows how to make you get you thinking about your 'religious' ways and pursue the living God. This man can communicate in a way that is not over your head, but yet takes you deep. If you haven't read this book and would like to have a more intimate relationship with Him, this book is a very good place to start as it will direct you to the God of the Word
Output: POS
The Message of the Divine Iliad Contains a Real Jewel . The First Section of this book contains philosophical text which is typical and conversational.  It is in the second part, named 'The Secret of Light' where one can find the most clear, pure explanation of the universe imaginable, in the amount of text which normally fills a small booklet.  Complete with diagrams, the explanation begins with God and flows out to all basic logical systems in a spectacularly balanced fashion.  If you are a seeker, dont' miss out on this one
Output: POS
Post-modern science fiction . Maybe I'm just not the right demographic for this novel, but I hated the beginning, tolerated the middle and put it down permanently near the end. The model is the Canterbury Tales of Chaucer, but I don't think it works. I just never got interested in the characters enough to care what happened to them and for me, the story--stories, really--never came into focus. I guess the New York Times Book Review should have tipped me off because they compare it to Frank Herbert's Dune and the Foundation series of Asimov, both of which, in my opinion have aged really badly. I never realized how bad Dune was until I saw the awful movie of it.    The fundamental metaphors operating in Hyperion seem to be backwards living. Well, ok, but I just don't see what it is a metaphor for. Nor, by page 473 where I finally gave up, did I care
Output: NEG
Rugg's Recommendations on the Colleges - 23rd Edition . No pictures of students sitting on the grassy area in front of the ivy covered brick building.  Plain and simple, who has the best major programs, period. Every colleges claims they have a fantastic math, art, etc... department.  Rugg's is the book that gives you some idea of how good a certain major program is at a particular college. So if you are looking for a top physics program with a strong art program, you can find it. Ruggs is the go to book, it rates the major not the school's glossy brochure. Undecided? you can use Ruggs to find the schools that have strong programs in the 4 areas you are interested in so if your first major choice doesn't work out, you can change majors without having to change school. This book got us to our top 10 choices for schools based on area of interest.
Output: POS
not up to standards . I've read all of Dianne Dorrans Saeks books and own many of them. I eagerly await each new addition so I was very dissapointed in California Interiors.It appears to be written and photographed for a European market.  It's all stuff we've seen over and over again with no cohesive theme. The  graphics aren't up to her usual standards, the book doesn't seem to have  any design. It looks as though it's a first time effort
Output: NEG
My kids love it !!! . When I play this audiotape in the car, my kids want to play the same games as the kids on the tape.  It quiets them down.  I give them a choice of this tape and childrens tapes and they always say, &quot;Let's do ICPS&quot;.  That stands for I Can Problem-Solve, the names of the games on this tap
Output: POS
Great supplementary reading. . The most redeeming quality of this title is its readability. Talbott is able to convey all the drama and excitment of life in international politics.    That said, this certainly isn't a title which will help you get a complete understanding of India, Pakistan and nuclear weapons. I read this book to supplement required reading for a course on War in South Asia and it greatly helped in terms of reinforcing key events and players.     I reccomend this to those who already have a reasonable understanding of the situation in South Asia and want a bit of light reading and would like to see the soap opera aspect of the affair.
Output: POS
Capote: A Literary Star who fell in tragic descent from the  heavens! . Truman Capote (1924-1984) was born in New Orleans to a wastrel con man father named Arch and a southern belle floozie from Alabama whose name was Lillie Mae. Lillie Mae and Arch divorced shortly after Truman's birth in New Orleans. The fragile child was raised in a succession of relatives homes. He was happiest  in Monroeville, Alabama where his next door neighbor was Nellie Harper Lee (Lee was the author of "To Kill a Mockingbird" and  served as Truman's girl Friday on his trips to Kansas to cover  the Clutter murders turned into his best book "In Cold Blood."    Capote was effeminate and was a [...] man who had several lovers many of whom used him for money and travel. Capote (he took the name of his stepfather Joe Capote who ended up in New York prison for his dirty business accounting!)spent a sybaratic life  of jet setting in the watering holes of Europe, Asia and the  United States.     Capote was famous for his books, his talk show appearances on television, screenwriting and adoration of his "Swans" (such  rich dames as Kay Graham of the Washington Post; Jackie Kenedy and her sister Lee and most notably Babe Paley wife of the President of CBS News.). Capote's famous 1966 Black and White  Party of the rich and famous is still a landmark event in New York society annals.    Capote was only 5'3"; had a babyish voice and squandered his talents with works planned but never written such as his unfinished novel "Answered Prayers." HIs reputation rests on  "Breafast at Tiffany's"; "In Cold Blood" and many excellent short stories.    Truman Capote could be manipulative, was spoiled and lived the  life of a famous, spoiled and egotistical man. His death came after years of booze, drugs and sex in seedy places.    Clarke's book will sell well in the wake of the famous movie  "Capote" and deserves to be read. Capote like F. Scott Fitgerald before him wasted his talents and died at a relatively young  age.     Gerald Clark has written a well researched, gossipy and accurate account of the life of the southern boy who became  famous and then was extinguished by his demons . A tragic  and cautionary tale.
Output: POS
Karen Moriarty's biases . I think before people read this book they should be aware that this 'therapist' is hardly an impartial counselor. She had a strong anti-adoption bias from the start, so any testimony from her on how Baby Richard is doing is automatically suspect.
Output: NEG
Art History (Study Guide) . I am very satisfied with the item, and it delived so quckly
Output: POS
Wow, how did this ever get published? . This is just a REALLY bad book.  First I blame James Patterson, but I really REALLY blame his editor.  What editor worth his salt would allow this mess to be published?      The villains are so grotesque as to be almost cartoon villains.  Just - over the top. The plot line is unbelievable.  Aside from Alex Cross and the two villains, nobody in this book gets more than a few pages before they disappear forever.  Alex Cross spends more time eating meals than using the resources of the FBI to foil the villains.  This is supposed to be one of those "the villains have given us a deadline before they blow up the world" type thriller but - there's no sense of urgency, and the law-enforcement agencies on the case are poorly sketched, and inept (but not deliberately written that way).    I could go on and on but it's not worth the words.  This book is REALLY a waste of time.  I can't believe anybody published it
Output: NEG
Very disappointing. . I found it to lean very heavily towards a hierarchal view of the relationship between men and women.  Men are to rule, and women are to submit to that rule.  The authors appear to see women as perpetual children who need to be under the continual domination of men, rather than as adults who deal with men on an adult level.  I suggest anyone who reads this books should also read "Discovering Biblical Equality."  It gives another view of how the Christians world see the role of women
Output: NEG
Short on helpful advice . If you're looking to learn how to appraise a home than this isn't the best book to get. As a beginner it was hard to get a grasp of appraising
Output: NEG
A mediocre book at best. . I can't compare Learn To Program with C++ to any other C++ books, because this is the only one I have read so far.  All in all, unfortunately, the book has turned out to be a failure.  I simply didn't get out of the book what I wanted: an elementary introduction to the language.    At times, it seemed the author was using phrases that he had never used before, as if he had explained them before at some point.  Bizarre, yes.  He made the assumption that some of his terminology was either very simple to pick up on, or was already covered.  It wasn't simple or already covered.    Also, perhaps equally bothersome, the author talks too much about the students in his fictitous class.  Make note that there actually no classroom with the students he is always talking about.  What is probably most bothersome is that he often repeats the same things over such as "I waited to see if anyone else had a question."  He is the one writing the book, of course he knows if one of his characters is going to ask a question or not!  Remarkable.  The interaction between him and his students may upset some people just because there are no actual students.    As far as the book being easy to read, well, the introduction is, but you may get lost after that.  I did.  It is possible that C++ is to blame, or may be it is how the author presents the language
Output: NEG
This book has a special place in my heart . This is one of those rare treats in the literary world that grab your attention, keep you enthralled, and refuse to let you stop reading.  I read this book and literally did not sleep one night because I was too busy trying to finish the book.  But what makes this book so rare is not because of how good it is, but it's because how good everything is until the very end.  That's right, the incredible cop-out of an ending made me mad enough to hate the entire novel.  This is "deus ex machina" in its finest form.  This is unexcusable in my opinion.  I just don't get it.  I just don't understand how one can (seemingly) work so hard on a work of fiction only to screw everyone in the final pages.  I gave it two stars (as opposed to one) for fooling everyone into reading through this book.  This is by far and away my most dissappointing reading ever
Output: NEG
What the Heck is This??? . This little book is, in my opinion, a really poor attempt at humor and a huge disappointment to the wonderful Bridget Jones diaries.  If  you have read the Bridget Jones books, then this little book is unnecessary since it is just regurgitated material from her diaries.  However, if you have not read the Bridget Jones diaries yet, I highly suggest you do that first since this little book might be a turn-off if you don't know what you are dealing with ahead of time.  This book contains silly pictures of how to shove things under your bed before company comes and how to call for Domino's delivery...(yes, there are pictures showing the reader how to dial the telephone, but it doesn't stop there.  We also get photographic details on how to open the box and put the pizza in our mouths!)  If this kind of information could be useful to you then, by all means, get this book.  However, if you are like most of us and already know how to dial a telephone, stick a slice of pizza in your mouth, shove things under your bed and step on a bathroom scale, then I suggest you save your (money)
Output: NEG
Disappointing . I've read all of Iris Johansen's novels and thoroughly enjoyed many of them--this, however was not one of them.  I found the plot hard to follow with too many references to her previous book.  What mysterious event happened to Jock and Royd?  Who is MacDuff--well if you haven't read the previous novel, you'll never know
Output: NEG
An extremely poor attemt at a spy/thriller . I had to force myself to finish this book. I don't allow myself to move onto a new read until I've finished the one that I've started, and this by far was the most difficult to get through. The dialogue between characters is laughable, the promising plot points are either too rushed or go on for far too long thereby destroying any bit of excitement that could be felt from them. Ted Bell's description and background on these characters makes them too unbelievable either by allowing them every positive characteristic (Alex Hawke) or changing their characteristics when its convenient (bin Wazir). There is nothing endearing about this novel, I honestly cannot believe this book was ever a bestseller. Do yourself a favor, bypass this book and read the 007 series by Ian Fleming.
Output: NEG
One of the best books on tai chi . This book presents the 24 and 48 posture tai chi form. The 24 move form is good for busy people, but the 48 move form is even better because it combines movements from the 3 most popular styles of tai chi, Yang,  Wu, and Chen, so the student gets some background in each. At 150 pages long in large paperback format, this book packs a lot of info between the covers. For example, I learned that in addition to the Wu style, there is also a W'u style, which I didn't know, although I've studied both Yang and Wu style tai chi.     The author gives a brief introduction to tai chi in the first chapter, discussing basic concepts and information, then proceeds to some classical Taoist philosophy. He also tells some interesting stories about the founder and his sons, who had many adventures and exploits, and various stories and legends have grown up around them.     Next there is a separate chapter on chi gung, a subject that has become almost a requirement for a tai chi book, I notice. However, most of the book is taken up by athe chapter showing the martial applications and the 48 move form. Dozens of applications are shown, and the photos are clear and easy to understand. I found this the most enjoyable part of the book, as there are still postures I don't know all applications for, such as snake creeps down, and the author presented one on that.     There is a chapter on guidelines for tai chi practice that gives detailed instructions for how to use the different parts of the body, from the eyes to the feet in performing the form. I found this useful because sometimes I still forget some of the fine details of how to hold the body when I do the form.     Finally, there are several appendices which provide a list of the 24 and 48 postures and their translations, a glossary on Chinese terms that is more complete than most, and a brief bibliography for further reading. The book is well written and easy to understand even when discussing some of the more abstract and esoteric principles. There are two mini-biographies of each other, two prefaces by two different masters, and a preface by the notable Dr. Yang Jwing Ming
Output: POS
Prophetic Visionary . This work is a testiment to Chester Himes' brilliant insight and characterstic of the schitzophrenic relationship most extremely talented black artists have had with America.  Much praised for his urban crime series, his more politically charged work was often ignored.  This book and the truths it reveals about America's ability and inclination to create entire groups of people with nothing to lose speaks volumes about today's society as it did when written by the author.  Many who read this will be afraid, as well they should.  You will be entertained none-the-less, and hopefully inspired to think. The ending leaves something to be desired, I suspect that is because Mr. Himes was not alive to complete it himself
Output: POS
Everybody is Beautiful . Each character is perfect. The women are so loving and the men so caring that they pair up nicely in four sweltering short stories. They live in a fantasy world full of friendship, kindness, and romance. Life is wonderful; no major worries except whether they like and love each other but those never last long. Everybody earns some sort of good income. Everything comes to a faultless ending. Each story involves hot chocolate suitable to the title of the collection. It is a great read before going to bed
Output: POS
Maudlin, skip it . This book was very disappointing, and quite frankly depressing for a new mother. My least favorite part was when the mother told the son you had better get here quick, and the image of him rocking what may be a dying mother was a little too much. There are sentimental stories, but this is just plain maudlin.
Output: NEG
A Poet Remembers His Prairie Town . If one hears the name Sandburg, the first thing to come to mind is probably &quot;Fog&quot; or &quot;City of Big Shoulders.&quot;  But in reading this wonderful memoir, we are reminded of what a fine prose writer  the man was.  The tale of his struggling Swedish immigrant parents finding  their way in late nineteenth century America and young &quot;Charley&quot;  as he liked to be called, as the name Carl marked him as a foreigner, is a  fascinating glimpse of a bygone time and place. The interesting jobs that  young Carl took on, such as traveling the back roads selling stereo-optican  views, and his conversations with a civil war vet are rewarding and  insightful.  I believe this is a wonderful read for anyone with a love of  biography, history, or simply good storytelling
Output: POS
GREAT BOOK!!!!! . This books deals great with strangers. It also shows not to judge a person by the outside. The only thing it needs is to tell kids what to do if a stranger does capture them.
Output: POS
Excellent . This book is comprehensive and it has a lot of useful and practical substance.  In addition, the writing is clear and easy to understand.  In this book, the authors show that they really understand what business process/workflow modeling is about
Output: POS
John Ayres is no Delphi expert and certainly no writer . You'd think the qualifications for writing a Delphi book would be 1) you must be a Delphi expert 2) you must write well.  Well, I can tell you for sure that this guy doesn't meet either qualification.  This is, without question, the worst programming book I have ever had the misfortune to buy.  Ayres writes like a third grader.  And the code is even worse.  A person who'd never seen Delphi before could write this code.  It is mostly warmed over MSDN example code converted to Pascal.  Frankly, I'd be embarrassed to publish something like this.  It's that bad
Output: NEG
The Great War in Retrospect . There are many reasons why World War I has been labeled THE GREAT WAR: it was the war to end all wars in the minds of those who lived through it, who were directly and indirectly affected by it, who continue to reference it as the war with the most emotional cost.  In times when wars seems to constantly queue since that inception of world war, wars spreading  from WW II, through Korea, Vietnam, the Gulf, Balkans, Eastern Europe, Spain, Africa, Iraq, Afghanistan, South America and on, taking a long hard look at the Great War will hopefully center our attention on a past time that can be analyzed and from which we can hopefully learn.    Now that Jay Winters' brilliant book 'Sites of Memory, Sites of Mourning : The Great War in European Cultural History' is available/affordable in paperback, every household should have a copy as children grow into the years of this century.  Winters' examination of the devastation of WW I and the ways in which it informed all of the arts, the architecture, the literature, films, memorials - the people of the globe - is a mighty assignment  and he is more than successful in humanizing his message.  This book overflows with photographs of places, faces, bodies alive and dead, paintings, sculptures, film stills - each of which drives home Winters' powerful message.    Sad though it may be to admit, war is a part of life on this abused planet: the more we study it the more we hopefully will reduce it.  Winters wants to make sure that we remember, that we read, view, walk through, see, hear, and listen to the remnants the Great War left behind.  This is a powerful, necessary book and should be required reading and viewing for us all.  Highly recommended.  Grady Harp, August 0
Output: POS
Patterson's Second Worst? . I rank this book slightly higher than Season of the Machete, simply because I only got to page 25 of that book before giving up on it. I finished this book, but it was hardly an enjoyable read. The one positive is that the chapters are very short, so it feels like the novel moves along at a nice pace. The actual content, however, is very poor. This book is just surviving off the past Cross novels. If someone was just picking up this book having not read any of the prior Cross novels, they are just not going to understand or care about the subplots involving Cross's estranged son, his other two kids, this new love life, etc. I've read all the books leading up to this book, and I barely cared or understood what was going on.     Compare this to Kiss The Girls or Jack and Jill, and it comes up way short. The story and the plot are very thin and very disjointed. Nothing about this book keeps you on the edge of your seat, and you will only feel compelled to finish it if you are a completist. This was by far the worst of the Cross books.
Output: NEG
Communist Fish . Rainbow fish has colorful shiny scales.  He is shamed into giving them to everyone.  Sounds like a communist primer
Output: NEG
Loved it... . I loved this book.  The pacing was perfect, the characters well-drawn, and the writing style engaging.  Mickey Haller, the Lincoln lawyer of the title, and protagonist, is a hustler who works out of the back seat of one of his Lincolns.  He gets embroiled in a case that should be a real money maker.  The author uses this background to set up a very believable ethical dilemma that makes this novel a very compelling read.  This is the first Michael Connelly book I've read, but based on this one, I'm going back to read his others
Output: POS
Needed a hero . Well, considering all the exciting things that have been happening in my life, I was surprised that reading about the life of the universe was so dull.  I can watch a sunset or listen to the sound of a bird singing and that can be wonderful.  But I suspect that if the authors were to have written about a bird singing or the sunset, I wouldn't have recognized it let alone enjoyed it much.  If this book was an attempt to synthesize science with the wisdom of all cultures then give me a genealogy from the Old Testament any ol' day.    I could tell that the authors knew a lot, but unfortunately they didn't know enough about how to capture my attention.  Now I'm no stranger to heavy reading so it can't be the density of information concealed in semi-poetic language that made the story unexciting.  I think it was the tell-me-don't-show-me style of overlong explanations of the beauty and wonder of the universe that might have been significant in this regard.  Unfortunately academicians haven't quite got the hang of how to make countless acts of procreation throughout the history of life sexy nor have they been able to capture the mystery of the ever-shy rainbow.  It didn't help that it had a &quot;we need to do better, us humans&quot; ending.  One might have made that criticism of the authors for their worthwhile undertaking fallen short
Output: NEG
Racist Classist Megalomaniac Talks A Little About Heroin . After hearing some decent things about this book, I was surprised at just how uninteresting and often offensive of a read it turned out to be.  Marlowe is accurate in some of her depictions of heroin use in the East Village of New York and way off base in others.  I chalk this up to everyone's experiences being different (however, I certainly don't think a one-bag-a-day habit with weeks off in between makes her an authority on addiction by any stretch of the imagination).  What I don't understand is why she felt the need to go into such great detail about her rather boring life between her discussions of the dope world.  Most of her anecdotes had little to no bearing on the story she was trying to tell and were mind-numbingly dull.  I found her narrative to be very disjointed and incoherent.  But what I found most repugnant was her better-than-thou attitude towards those of a lower class or darker skin tone (e.g. assuming dark-skinned men who didn't think to aspire to become more than security guards must not have gotten support or affirmation in their homes growing up, like she did).  She herself says that she became interested in street-life and street people in order to increase her "coolness" factor.  Sure she dabbled in drug use and in the East Village culture, but that does not make her an authority, and she does not paint a very true portrait of either.  If you want a good portrayal of street life and heroin use from the inside, read Seth Morgan's Homeboy.  If you want elitist drivel, this book should do the trick
Output: NEG
Not flash cards . The content is good, but these aren't actually flash cards. It's a bound book with very thin pages and two words to each page. Studying with flashcards is best done by testing one's self with cards, slipping failures back into the deck for near-term review, and setting repeated successes aside. This isn't possible with a book.
Output: NEG
Review of &quot;Ten Days that Shook the World.&quot; . Although this book may be so brilliantly written by John Reed, I found it to be too laden with historical details, and even somewhat confusing for someone who is using this book to merely familiarize her (him)self with the makings of the Russian Revolution for the first time.  The book provides with a glossary of Russian terms, events and political parties necessary to understand it but even so I found myself hopelessly stumbling through the chapters trying to pick up information here and there.  However, due to my lack of knowledge of Russian history I was unable to piece together any of the information.  So, in frustration I gave up and relinquished the book to somebody who knows somebody who is a &quot;history buff&quot;.  From this experience I learned that if you want to familiarize yourself with a historical event about which you know truly nothing, it is always better to read a book which describes that event perhaps in a very broad outline form on the first page of the book.  The rest of the book should be written according to that outline. A glossary of main events would also be helpful.  On the other hand I do realize that most historical events are way too complicated to be approached in this manner.  Anyway, if you would like to expand your knowledge about the Russian Revolution, I highly recommend this book.  However, if like me you are looking to merely acquire a basic knowledge about this historical event you will get lost in its too many facts
Output: NEG
Trite dialogue, zero description . I thought this book was terrible.  I don't understand why people think this author is so amazing (unless they have really low IQ's).  Yes the subject matter was interesting but the delivery was very poor.  I showed it to a friend of mine and she said, "She writes like she learned to write from watching TV."  The novel is all dialogue and very little description, which doesn't equal up to an interesting read for me.  There was little suspense, I was not sympathetic to the main character, and the attempt at romance was a joke.  You want some real suspense in a mystery revolving around the legal system?  Go read Grisham
Output: NEG
Cinema 4D 9.5 Excellent! well written, easy to follow. . This book has provided me with a hands on guid that I have search for many years. I am new to animation, and I think Mr. Mitchell did a fantastic job of explaining and making his real world application easy to follow. This book has taught me more about professional animation than any other books in my library. To me the CD is an added bonus. I would highly recommend this book to any beginner who is trying Learn 3D animation production. The only negative thing I have to say is, why it took you so long to publish a book that gave someone like me the confidence in learning 3D animation. I was able to create my first animated characters by using this book, by adding this book to your library, you will be gaining a wealth of knowledge. By the way, when is your next book coming out? Simply, this book is GREAT
Output: POS
The Real Lives of Children? . Controversial, yet remarkable look at how young children, primarily boys, resisted and re-made the conditions of their existence in early 20th century U.S. cities. His chronicle of the newsboys' strike is vital  history. The book is more controversial when discussing the actions of the  so-called 'child-savers,' one of whom actually included social activist  photographer Lewis Hine. He dismisses the action of these advocates as  puritanical and fundamentally ignorant of the real conditions of the  children's lives. He decides that children are neither powerless nor  defenseless, and this decision is, of course, a double-edged sword when  dealing with the very real abuses of child labor and child exploitation  that still pervade the U.S. and the globe
Output: POS
Are You Easily Amused? . If you're easily amused by anything that hyperactively draws attention to its &quot;cool&quot; sensibility, this book is for you. Stacey Richter obviously went to one too many writer's workshops where they pat each other on the back for their inside-ness and forget what real literature can be. None of her characters reveal any depth or texture. What little thematic substance the stories have is as fuzzy as a fly-away wisp of pink cotton candy. Instead, what you get is exaggerated, absurd sequences rooted in cultural fetishes and fantasies of abnormality or violence. Richter lacks the discipline or patience to build a real-life scenario; she wants to take shortcuts by way of cultural references, precious oddity, and patronizing first-person narration. Incidents tumble forward like an upturned toychest of kitschy knick-knacks collected and lovingly polished, then laid out on a tacky folding table for you to fawn over and call art. The word that best describes the whole thing is &quot;shallow.&quot; It's as if Richter were writing moment-to-moment, giggling over her cleverness, probably sipping an Orbitz because it's &quot;so stupid, it's sublime.&quot; After smart people start seeing through this one-trick literary con job (I'm looking down at my watch), perhaps Richter can get lucky and land a gig writing pop-up windows for Blind Date
Output: NEG
For serious reader . Fromm is one of the classics - along with Freud, Jung, Adler. He studied psychology, philosophy and sociology, received his PhD at the age of 22, became interested in Zen Buddhism at the age of 26. One of the true geniuses.  This book was written in 1956. Here Fromm discusses love from philosophical, psychological and sociological point of view. What love is and isn't? In what ways do we misconceive love? Is love indeed an art? Why do we need it? What is the difference between love of a mother and a father (as archetypes)? He discusses different kinds of love: brotherly love (love to any other human being - just because he is a human being), erotic love, self-love, love to God. The last half of the book is dedicated to how love disintegrates in modern western society and how we can practice love.
Output: POS
Buckle Your Seatbelt . Wanted:  A reader for Flann O'Brien's AT SWIM-TWO-BIRDS.    1) Requisites: Forgiveness of the not-very-linear, willingness to suspend disbelief and attachment to conventions, flexibility to take hairpin turns and seeming leaps of logic without a moment's notice, and tolerance of sloth, drink and the occasional effluvia.   2) Experience and education: familiarity with James Joyce, Samuel Beckett and Irish literary culture of the early 20th century helpful.  Competitive emphasis awarded applicants with a working definition of "metafiction."  3) Job description: Sort out nested narratives of authors and their characters; identify author's concepts regarding the creative process; laugh at author's lampoons, ironies and jokes; develop a high appreciation of author's conceptuality and use of voice; locate surprising floes of prose through which echo all kinds of intelligence; don't worry about getting absolutely every reference; appreciate William Gass's critical introduction to this edition, which adds to the fun and vision, and spoils nothing.  4) Compensation and benefits: Never boring, earns reader the metafictional and modern Irish literature badge of experience without much bloodletting.    5) Work location:  Ideally read in proximity to others with whom insights and jokes can be shared but post-college isolation doable; bed not recommended unless weird dreams desired; does not go overly well with sand, gooey sunscreen and the sounds of the top 40 blasting from the radio three beach blankets away. The local pub would quite suit the content.
Output: POS
Daring?  How about don't you dare buy this book! . Note: If I could give this 0 stars, I would    I picked up this book on the strength of the high recommendations listed here - I guess I should have looked at the fact that there were only (5) reviews.  This book was trite, un-even, and just plain ridiculous.  It started out with a decent enough premise but did nothing to really build the relationship between the hero and heroine.    Maggie came off as a young, naive, totally unrealistic, "I'm trying to be cute & pert" but, I'm not.  It's almost as if the character "Ally McBeal" were thrust into a book.  The plot veered off in directions that didn't get tied up and the Hero, Connor, seemed to be spouting lines because that's what he was supposed to say rather than what he felt.      Also, there wasn't too much of anything that was daring in this book.  Just Ugghhh!  I feel sad that I dared to buy this.  Just run the other way - get something by Gaelen Foley (The Duke) or Lisa Kleypas (Dreaming of You) instea
Output: NEG
Irritable Diet . My wife an I bought the book and tried the diet.  We could not last the 2 weeks on phase 1.  Neither of us can stand the taste of fish, so our limited choices were limited even more.  The first week went okay, but by the second week, we noticed that we had become quite irritable.  We did not want to see another salad, cheese stick, chicken, or lean ground beef.  It was not so much that we craved breads, pastas, and candy.  We missed fruit.  Even though it would only be a few more days to reach phase 2, we decided to ignore this book and start with a diet based on the government guidelines (the "dreaded" low-fat, high-fiber, portion control diet).  In addition, we made exercise a part of our daily routine.  Our moods improved quickly,  Weight is coming off.  We are getting stronger and more fit.  It's been about a month since we quit South Beach and we are happy with our current diet and have no desire to dump it.  One thing South Beach did teach us was the importance of snacking.  It really helps with portion control and hunger issues.  Only, we changed it from cheese and nuts to no-fat yogurt, fruit, or veggies
Output: NEG
Even economists smoke crack . This man lives in a world od distorted reality.  Economic equality and poverty is bound to exist reguardless of the mode of production.  Capitalism allows democracy, which is the most important issue to me.  He talks about Cuba in this book...  The have to give up freedom and live in poverty, but their literacy level is the same as our's; which system sounds better?  Tjis was a well written book wth ample information, so I probably should have rated it better.  However, I hate the message that it sends
Output: NEG
Just not that into it. . I also didn't like it. I don't see what the hype is about it personally. I thought Girlfriends Guide to Pregnancy was great but this one doesn't tell you anything that common sense wouldn't! I say if you want to try it out, use the library. That way you aren't wasting your money on it
Output: NEG
Macromedia Flash MX ActionScript Bible . I find this book very well writen. Info is complete and correct.  This is however on an old version of flash. As long as your looking for a flash 6 book this is the best text I have found. Works great as a refrence as well
Output: POS
Her "Nutrition" Advice Made Me Furious and Physically Sick . Alright, first of all, I have read dozens of books on nutrition and weight, etc., many of which were inspiring and very helpful. I highly doubt that many women in 2006 lack general nutrition knowledge, but if they do, it can be found easily online or in the library. Dr. Northrup's advice was ludicrous. 30 grams of carbs per day? I was encouraged when she began by citing Geneen Roth, but things deteriorated from there until I wanted to throw the book out the window. If anyone is looking for a mind-body approach to food, please, PLEASE do not read Dr. Northrup's chapter on "nutrition." Instead, I would recommend Fed Up by Dr. Wendy Oliver-Pyatt, Eating Mindfully by Dr. Susan Albers, any book by Geneen Roth, or even How Much Does Your Soul weigh, by Dr. Dorie McCubbrey. These books adress eating mindfully, allowing yourself to enjoy the foods you love while paying attention to your body's responses. Dr. Northrup's "nutrition" chapter is just another externally driven, trendy, but ultimately ineffective attempt to control weight and promote health (She calls herself a "sugar addict" and if you want information about that, read something like sugar busters (until you figure out that ALL diets will never work long-term). Anyway, I think she's a nut, and I wish that consumers were more perceptive and less desperate and likely to grasp at straws like Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom.
Output: NEG
Oh Dear.... . This book doesn`t compare very well with any other recipe books you will have seen - there are no pictures of the finished dishes for a start. A lot of the "celebrities" you won`t have heard of - that shouldn`t matter if the recipes are good.  Its a very American book and doesn`t travel well; the quantities are measured in "cups", oven temps quoted in Fahrenheit only and products not available anywhere else (what are "graham crackers"??) There are lists at the back of bands with food names and songs with food names (brilliant journalism girls) and the authors thank you pages are hilarious - thanking their cats and themselves for the joy-filled experience of working with each other. I realise a recipe book has to have some simple ones included, but Hot Rod Hot Dogs - buy some hot dog sausages, buy some white buns, add some relish and mustard. Enjoy! Peanutbutter on Toast Sandwiches, buy some peanutbutter, toast some bread. Enjoy! They`re having a laugh, aren`t they? But this book is supporting a charity. It doesn`t actually say how much of the proceeds are going to Freedom From Hunger, just "some".....so I suggest you give your donation directly to the charity instead of buying thi
Output: NEG
erudite and interesting . Romines' study of the Little House books is learned and informative.  She alludes to many current discussions in literary studies.  I recommend this book for the college student who is interested in children's literature and/or women's writing.  Don't be put off by the negative reviews of readers who wanted hagiography rather than analysis
Output: POS
Great book for chefs but it's not a cookbook . This book will tell you what flavors go well with each other, what starch and veggies will match well with a protein, and there are a few recipes.  This book is great for developing your own recipes
Output: POS
Geared more towards parents than teens . My son saw my copy of "Yes, Your Teen is Crazy" (which was an excellent book by the same author.)  I thought this book would be geared more towards teens--as I planned on giving it to my son to read--to understand why parents act the way they do.  However, it was not written for a teenager.  It was very similar to the "...Teen is Crazy" book.
Output: POS
Reviewer . I am interested in succint yet exhaustive/substantive coverage of the topic for use in real-world corporate finance applications.  I found the book to be verbose and not sufficiently to the point.  The author peppers a few key insights in endless dialogue, which I find a bit tiresome.  The text could be better organized to highlight key points and provide greater substance and less fluff.  Definition of terms could be far better written even for an introductory text.    I suspect I am the wrong target audience
Output: NEG
Broad strokes about student life, not really about the freshman year . I expected this book to be about the freshman year experience, based on the title and the way that the book began.  However, the book ended up being more about broad strokes describing student life.  The author did not live in a freshman residence hall and I am unsure if she primarily enrolled in gateway classes or not.  Memorable aspects include her depiction of the student community being comprised of independent networks and the way students learn to manage college (cut corners) as a stragegy to manage their time
Output: NEG
Not worth the $$ . Extremely basic! It would be useful to have on hand, but the $ is way too much for the few quick tips the book offers
Output: NEG
Is this really Italy? . I don't know if I was more disappointed or angered at this little insignificant but dangerous book.  The contents has very little to do with what children, who travel to Italy, will ever encounter.  What I find it does is continue the negative strereotyping of the Italians.  Really! No one stomps on grapes and a child who will visit a farm in Italy will hardly see such outdated stereotypical occurrences.  Can food be the only thing one would like of Italy? Of course, since the book failed to explain what other things of wonder a child might see.  I bought this for my grandchildren, as sadly there are very few book on Italy with some italian words.  I returned the book because I would NEVER introduce Italy to my grandchildren this way.  A very expensive book that perpatuates outdated images.  Poor job.
Output: NEG
More fun from Linsey Davis . Linsey Davis makes you feel right at home in Roman Britai
Output: POS
Delightful . Wintry, restful, appropriate, delightful illustrations accompany one of my favorite Robert Frost poems.  My children will enjoy this poem as much as I do
Output: POS
A wonderful book . I read this book in one sitting, and when I was done I found myself going back through it again in order to digest it more completely.  I really wish it had been available when I was just starting my family, but even though my kids are now older I don't feel it's too late.  A wonderful resource for any two-parent household, full of practical advice and suggestions on how to improve the whole family's quality of life.  Julie Shields cuts through to the heart of many emotional, complicated parenting issues and presents solutions from a fresh, logical perspective.  This is not just another book telling women how to reduce stress in their lives by making time for relaxing baths.  I highly recommend it to any parent, or anyone thinking of becoming one
Output: POS