niryuu/sni-each-converted huggingface dataset:
Best engineering text on statistics . The third edition has been improved but has the same practical feel as earlier editions.  Real data is used for most examples and having the "entire book" on a CDROM including the data sets, solution manual and supplimental material puts this text "over the top" in terms of usefulness.  It is an excellent reference for the practical engineer who uses statistics only occasionally.    I use this in industry and teach internal (to the company) courses using this text.  The CDROM really makes it the text of choice
Output: POS
Interesting, valid, and not so controversial . Based on the rejection of the &quot;hypodermic&quot; theory of advertising, the idea that we are not hapless victims is something most students of media will here about.  Propaganda is not as powerful as we  believe, but our own desire to buy is very powerful.     His views on the  negativity of our consumerism are what make him and his work so different
Output: POS
A work for academic readers only . This book reads like a PhD dissertation and focuses on making reference after reference to dozens of other academic articles and books, much like a college research paper. I wonder if these 5 star reviews are from sociology professors because this is very dry reading and I can't imagine a casual reader being interested in reading this book at all
Output: NEG
A thorough coverage of this genre . 'Lowbrow art' blends pop culture, street culture, pop art and surrealism with a strong focus on controversial sub-cultures from bikers to 60s sitcoms. It's about time that a thorough coverage of this genre is presented, and Painter and journalist Matt Dukes Jordan provides a spirited assessment of the high points of lowbrow in Weirdo Deluxe: The Wild World Of Pop Surrealism & Lowbrow Art. Full-page color reproductions of such art, from labels to paintings, present both art displays and commentary on the artists creating them.
Output: POS
The perfect travel guide for the e-commerce traveler . Intimidating issues concerning the e-commerce revolution are resolved for small business owners when they follow Tiernan's insightful directions and explanations. My responsibility as coordinator of Project Entrepreneur is  to assist people who wish to transition into self-employment. It is with  confidence that I recommend e-tailing as the perfect companion to their  e-business adventures
Output: POS
horrible . war books are not my favorite, but even so this book sucked. i will admit when i am wrong about a book but i was not wrong about this 1. from the moment my prof. assigned it, i knew it would be like pulling teeth to finish and it was! this is notttttttttttttttttttttt a classic or anything close to 1. spend ur ten dollars on a pillow cause you are going to need it
Output: NEG
What happened to Tim Curry? . My daughter and I had listened to the first two audio books, "The Bad Beginning" and "The Reptile Room", both narrated by Tim Curry, so we were very disappointed by "The Wide Room." Tim Curry was a fabulous narrator, why did they not continue to use him? His voice has just the right quality of evil mischief to it, and as an actor he really brought the book to life. Often, the person who wrote the book is not the best person to read it and this is the case with Lemony Snicket. His whiney, lispy voice was so bad it was a distraction. Curry's fabulous, velvety voice oozed malice and delight and the loss of him was a loss to the quality of the story. Lemony Snicket narrating his own story is truly an "Unfortunate Event!
Output: NEG
Not much here, I recommend  Birnbaum's Disneyland  instead. . There are some good hints here, but do not be mislead by the title.   For a complete book on Disneyland and California Adventure, I highly recommend Birnbaum's Disneyland Resort 2003, Expert Advice From The Inside Source.  Birnbaum's Disneyland is updated annually and published every year
Output: NEG
Mad, Mad times over Mad Libs . This collection of mad libs were hilarious.  It had everybody in the room in stitches.  Plus, it was a great review of what verbs, adjectives, adverbs, etc. are
Output: POS
Randcek . In the 1950s, television filled the void left by the Senate inquiries and the imposition of the comics code. A new resurgence in the 60s, comic books were exciting again, carrying into the 70s spurred by superhero AND horror/mystery comics. Bottoming out again in the eighties, this time the culprit- video games.   Today the enemies, television and gaming, are still with us vieing for our time. Comics are not truly accessable to the buying public. They've become the property of an exclusive club that seems to revel mostly in some artist's wet dreams. How nice to know they can excercise his or her artistic rights and freedom. But no one is buying it! It's dead for all intents and purposes. Comic shops have to fill their shelves with collectible toys to make it.  The comics I buy are at liest more than 30 years old. The new ones just are not interesting and even with all of this self-examination and navel probing, the quality just isn't there. It's my opinion that it doesn't have to read like Shakespear and look like Rembrant to be a good comic. But it must entertain.  The effort has been underway for years to leave the lowly comic book in the dust, replaced by the Graphic Novel. All in the name of impoving (the perception anyway) of the comic book market! Even HBOs Tales From the Crypt" opening credits state 'Adapted from the comic MAGAZINE...'   The internet will not save comic books. It isn't a 'book' in the first place. Illegal downloading will kill it. Scanning comic books is already a problem.  The salvation of the medium is in the hands of something that is not real? If you cannot hold it and carress it in your hands like a lover then it will not satisfy (oops, better watch my own dreaming!). I do have a love affair with comic books.  The only salvation I believe are two things:   1) Comic books must be put back into the public eye through stores or what have you. Recruitment to comic books through casual 'walk by' customers who are not necessarily seeking out comics, they just happen upon them out in public stores. Yes, the great unwashed and 'unenlightend' masses parting with their three bucks is the only thing that will help save the comicbooks!  2) The superhero must die! And artists and writers must excercise self control or face the imposition of a new comics code
Output: NEG
Pretentious and Boring . Despite what the tag line promises, this is not an epic story of WW II's most dramatic mission.  It is ridicuous to even suggest such a thing.  At best this is a superficial recounting of a late war mission which turned out not to be not nearly as dangerous as it could have been.  The bravery of the men who took part in the raid cannot be questioned.  However, there are countless other tales of WW II that recount much more horrificly dangerous events than the one depicted here.  The book simply fails to deliver.  If you are looking for a gripping tale of the horror and heroism that defined WW II this is not the one
Output: NEG
A Censored History of Latin Music . Many people who love Latin music and vintage Latin album graphics will snatch up this book.  Be forewarned that there are disappointments to be found inside.  The author/compiler seems to look down his nose at the garish, exotic, sexy and sensational album sleeves from the '40s and '50s that we gringos adore, choosing for the most part to showcase politically correct, bizarre abstract art creations from the 1970s.  No me gusta!  It's not that there are none of the earlier variety of album sleeve on display here, but there are not nearly enough.  What's worse, the author interprets "latin music" to mean Cuban, Brazilian and Puerto-Rican-derived product; if you're looking for reproductions of some great old ranchera, flamenco or merengue album sleeves, you're out of luck.  The richness and diversity of Latin music is missing from this book.  COCINANDO! is certainly a groundbreaking collection, but by no means is it definitive.  I hope someone follows up this incomplete history with another that presents the Golden Age of latin music from a more unbiased viewpoint.  I'd like to take the opportunity here to tout the collectability of vintage Mexican album sleeves; many of them are absolutely gorgeous, and they need to be recognized as the works of art that they are.
Output: NEG
Engaging exercises to train your intuition . Famous mathematicians have often emphasized the role of visual intuition;  e.g., Hilbert: &quot;Who does not always use along with the double  inequality a &gt; b &gt; c the picture of three points following one  another on a straight line as the geometrical picture of the idea  &quot;between&quot;? Who does not make use of drawings of segments and  rectangles enclosed in one another, when it is required to prove with  perfect rigor a difficult theorem on the continuity of functions or the  existence of points of condensation?&quot; (from his famous address at the  1900 International Congress). This book is a collection of well over 100  one-page proofs, collected from various sources. The topics range from  number theory to calculus, and most of them require no advanced  mathematics. Typically there is a statement of a result, with a labelled  diagram showing how it is &quot;proved&quot;; in some cases there are a few  auxiliary equations along with the picture. These are not simple, often  requiring quite a bit of thought before the &quot;Aha!&quot; moment.  Working through them is a valuable exercise for the student of  mathematics--having seen, e.g., six different visual proofs of the  Pythagorean theorem, one comes to really *understand* the result, not just  &quot;follow the logic&quot;. I have not encountered any better way than  this book to &quot;see&quot; how mathematical truth is discovered and  proved. It can be valuable as a supplement to courses through precalculus  and elementary calculus. Perhaps one of its best uses is to inspire  teachers to present results in a more lively way then  &quot;definition-theorem-proof&quot; or &quot;just memorize it&quot;
Output: POS
Not a good enough reference to be worth the money . This is a tremendously expensive reference that one should expect to be trustworthy. But it isn't. Nor is it as definitive as should be expected, though it does have some fascinating entries, such as the role of dogs in the history of food. For the price, there should be line drawings for some of the more unusual fruits and veg, because as it is, the verbal descriptions would lead a reader to think that something looked quite different than it does. So I use these two volumes with caution, referencing further anything said here before I take it as a given. Although some other reviewers here have criticized the dryness of style, that is what I want in this sort of thing, so I have no complaints there. Of far more importance is the slant that many of the articles have, which clearly have a political agenda that the information is wrapped around. So, while the bibliographies for same are useful, they also are selectively chosen. Given the guides to food now, and the many histories, I would think that a few books judiciously chosen are better value than this one reference, though if you are monied, this is an interesting addition to your library, to be read with a grain of salt in every 'Oh, my! I didn't know that.'
Output: NEG
*Those  Mesmerizing  Eyes  &  A  Special  Easter  Egg* . How could I have missed HUNWICK until now? He is a rabbit-eared Bandicoot, one of an endangered species, familiarly known in Australia as the BILBY. *Aussie* reviewer "LIN" won me over by suggesting that "Hunwick's Egg" would be a great Easter gift. Hunwick and his mysterious egg become very special friends but the egg does not hatch.     They are scrutinized by a collection of the weirdest animals you ever yearned to hug: a cockatoo, an  echidna (resembling a porcupine), and the hairiest of emus who could benefit from a bit of *Bryll Cream* . . . Hunwick is all heart and reaches out to readers with the most irresistible eyes to ever appear on your radar screen! But still the egg does not hatch. The plant life is gorgeous, drawn ever so delicately in watercolor pencils. I am most captivated by a plant resembling the eucalyptus, and other green wildflowers.    After referring to my dictionary I felt tricked into falling for a RAT, of all things. I don't want to believe what my faithful reference says about this darling creature!    The more important reality is that HAPPINESS CAN ERUPT FROM THE MOST UNEXPECTED OF RELATIONSHIPS. It is remarkable how loneliness vanishes when you can share your burrow. Reviewer mcHAIKU recommends that you make sure you have an Easter Basket large enough to accommodate this precious book
Output: POS
A difficult read if you just want the meat . Maybe this book contains some good advice. But I gave it a low rating because you have to wade through so much fluff to find it. I seriously doubt I'll make it all the way through the book.    The first part of the book talks about Michael Gerber's (fictitious?) mentee Sarah, a previous client of his who has apparently fallen and can't get up. The conversations between Michael and Sarah are so contrived and syrupy, who can believe them? Sarah needs to climb a mountain in Nepal, discover the meaning of life, and get it over with.    The second part, which I'm reading now, is structured around the 7 "disciplines" for building a company. I skipped ahead to this part, but it refers back to so much of the fluff in the first part that I really feel lost not having read it.    If you like business story books of the Patrick Lencioni variety, you MIGHT get something out of E Myth Mastery. But be warned: This book as many times longer than Lencioni's, with a lot less meat
Output: NEG
Worst.  Book.  Ever. . This book is awful.  I read it, and I couldn't wait to finish it.  I would have flipped it in the trash can except I had to read it for school.  The characters are pathetic, there is no grasp of dialogue, and the author admits that it is the same thing as an F. Scott Fitzgerald book that was already written.  How it became a Newberry winner I will never know
Output: NEG
A great read . In November of 1985 when I was seven years old my fatherwas watching a mini series (remember those people) on CBS. It was Kane and Abel and after watching it for the last 22 years I have been fasinatied with that story. I did not know until 2006 that it was a book so I bought it and its sequel. I loved the Prodigal daughter although I do have some things I would have done differently. I for one who have call the book the Prodigal children with a  focus on Richard childhood as well. One of my favorite things in the novel was that while FLorentyna was a Democrat Richard was a Repulican (The good kind not the crazy ones you have today.) I guess becuase although there is around a 10-15 year age difference between the chacters and my own parents that is how they are. (My favorite scene in this is when RIchard puts a Barry Goldwater bumpersticker on their car she rips it right off. ANother one  is when RIchard after telling his wife that he did not cheat on her FLorentyna said "You should have slept with her" meaning RIchard's old girlfriend becuase that would have cemeted a business deal ) I also did not like fact that RIchard died and they brought in Edward WIncheaster as a second husband or that the book went into a future that never could come true. BUt then again that is nit picking. By the way a book in which a blond 60 something CHicago born woman seantor becomes the first female United States President. HIllary some British guy made you Polish
Output: POS
Only slightly better than Throne . Not quite the crapfest that was book 3 in the Ringworld series, but still a gigantic disappointment coming from Niven.  Children is plagued by the same things that made the previous novel so unbearable: flat, uninteresting characters, ridiculous names, obsession over interspecies sex for no reason other than to include sex in the story, and overall a poorly written plot.  To be fair, I didn't come out of this one as bewildered as after Ringworld Throne - don't even ask me to summarize THAT plot, I've yet to come across a decent one myself, mostly because trying to figure it out can cause lasting brain damage.  But even so, this novel is nowhere near the original Ringworld novel, or even Engineers for that matter.  Avoid if possible
Output: NEG
Very good . 100% recomend to learn about spy histor
Output: POS
So repetetive in print that it will drive your child to boredom . I wanted to like this one.  I really did.  My son loves hand clap games and board books so it seemed like a natural fit.  He just seemed to hate the repetition in this one.  The sounds/words/rhythm are the same page in and page out and by page 5, he was acting like he does when I try to read a book to him a second time to avoid getting up to get another.  (He's seen it before and he knows it.
Output: NEG
Could Not Put Down . Rarely is there a book that I can not put down, this was an exception. Quite a suspensfull page turner. Any book that can draw you in and you can visualize the characters and the scenery is excellent and this book did that. I would have given it 5 stars, but I do not like romance blended in with any suspense novel, that's just my taste.  By far,  however, one of the best books I have read in a long time
Output: POS
The BEST tool for passing the PMP Exam - . This was the key element that helped me pass the exam. Books, courses, study groups,...etc are all good material to cover the understand the concepts. But going through the practice tests on this CD was the single most important factor!     I highly recommend this software to all who are studying for the PMP exam. There are a good number of questions on the CD. It will prepare you for the real thing! Good Luck
Output: POS
Excellent . This book covers all the theory and application in an outstanding way without getting too simple or complex.  The book is coherent, very well organized, and filled with excellent tables and graphs.  Great examples as well.  I have nothing negative to say about this text
Output: POS
we want to be a wizard! . My son loved having one of those pull out books and it be prefect when we got it...you know the pop up stuff. He wants the entire collection now...
Output: POS
love of nature grows the more we know . I am delighted with this encyclopedia which I ordered as a present for my six year old.  This handsome book has beautiful pictures and lots of information covering many aspects of nature.  Attractive and accessible, it provides great rewards for the young reader whose love and respect of nature will grow as their knowledge expands.   I expect it to be used in greater depth as my daughter grows older.  For now, she loves to open it up and see what she finds  -  and becomes engaged immediately.  I highly recommend it
Output: POS
456 pages of excellent storytelling . Taking history and melding it with fiction, and making it highly readable takes talent.  Everything is in this book.      Furst crosses 11 years (1934 to 1945), has characters move in and out of the narrative as well as have a panoramic/epic show going on at the same time, and never for a moment does the story seem thin--actually it's thick with thoughts, intentions, hopes and dreams of the characters, and their utter and dire knowledge that the whole of Europe is going to go right down the path of total destruction.  Also, I must mention the humor.  The chuckle is there, right after the sadness or the disaster.      Traveling from Bulgaria to Moscow, from Stalinist Russia to a Spain steeped in civil war, Furst offers Bolshevists, the NKVD, defenders of the Republic, partisans, and on and on.  There is common crime and the common war, political satire and the poignancy of a common death.      Reading Night Soldiers makes you want more.
Output: POS
Worth catching as it falls into book stores . &quot;'Introduction to Fall Protection' by J. Nigel Ellis, is a  masterpiece in the art and practices for fall protection. Excellent resource packed with useful information.  The great value in this book is that it simplifies an otherwise tough subject!   It will, no doubt, save many lives.  How much more worth could you get than that?&quot
Output: POS
How did this book win an award? . I am a fan of Michael Crichton's.  Having said that, I felt that the writing style of this particular book was incredibly choppy, and that certain characters were not well developed at all (e.g. the wife!)      The basic premise was very interesting and the book was suspenseful; it moved along at a fast pace.  However, Crichton added too many characters, and made the book too dense.  I had to skim the last several chapters because I wanted to know what happened at the end, but I was getting extremely bored.    Obviously, he has come a long way since this book :-)  Sigrid
Output: NEG
Eye opener! . I have been an Investment Counselor for over 40 years. This book makes more common sense than any book I have read on the subject. My main regret is that is wasn't around earlier. It is the key to Wealth and Security.
Output: POS
Lettering done by amatuers. . This is  largely the same team of Letters who do the majority of  lettering for Image Comics, and maybe one day when they decite to do it for a more professional comics company, then they can write a book like this, until then, NO SALE
Output: NEG
A welcome return . When Michael Nyman first published this work in the 70s, it was the only book of its kind to discuss some of the most cutting-edge stuff going around.  Most musical texts avoided discussing the Fluxus group as &quot;music,&quot; but Nyman integrates these radicals easily, and provided the first discussion of the Scratch Orchestra (Cardew et al), and related topics.  The book still contains some of the clearest discussions of these topics around.  It's great to have it back in print, though too bad Nyman couldn't be bothered to provide updates on some of the folks discussed, like Hugh Skempton
Output: POS
History Comes to Life! . The Bible is the deepest, most intelligent, and powerful writing ever penned. Because it is such a profound book, parts of it may at times seem confusing. Many times I struggled through the pages of the Old Testament trying to comprehend the history. Sometimes I would give up, becoming weary of the long string of names or descriptions of who begat whom.     Why did God's Word have to be so difficult for me? I so wanted to be able to read the Bible and be as interested in its history as I was in the Tudor Era. Of course, I never dreamed that there was a book out there just for me.    When my Mom presented me with Adam and His Kin by Dr. Ruth Beechick I immediately devoured it. The story, the history, the Bible! Mrs. Beechick retells the story of Genesis like no other author has. I found myself intrigued and delighted as I read about Eve's heartbreaking struggle in the Garden of Eden, the tragic murder of Abel, the fascinating story of Noah, and even the tower of Babel.    It was like reliving history beside these amazing figures and the spectacular events which surrounded them. I could actually feel Eve's longing for the forbidden, I mourned for Noah as he was made fun of and taunted while he built the most amazing boat in the world, the boat that God instructed him to build.   In Adam and His Kin history comes to life and you experience what life was like thousands of years ago. In my opinion, this book is a masterpiece and I can give it nothing but the highest praise.    J.M. Age 1
Output: POS
Put Me in the Zoo . Robert Lopshire made the best children's book that I have ever read and made me want to read more when I was smaller. This book is creative and very unique in my view compared to many other wonderful childrens books. The first book I ever read was Put Me in the Zoo and I still enjoy reading it. When I was smaller I would never let go of this funny, excellent, and very unique book
Output: POS
Waste of time & money . The book is full of useless fillings. Finding your colors is limited to few hair and eye color combinations. It also depends on you doing a test with different colored fabrics & determing how the color reflect against your skin. After reading the book, I still don't know what my colors are. Besides, with so many different color hues on the market, how can one tell if what you're buying is an ever green or true green for example, confusing. The lack of pictures showing the types of collars they're recommending for different body types (e.g Mandarin  collar,cowl,bardot...)...is annoying,to say the least. Questionnaires are poorly structured, & the section on makeup, underwear & accessories is trivial. Save your money (i'm glad the book I read was a borrow from the library) and save your time. Pass
Output: NEG
Too Bad The Monk Didn't Write The Book . I found the writer, Crane, dying to interpose his bad poetry, bad jokes and whining, obnoxious self into what could have been a thoughtful story about a monk and his religious beliefs.  Too bad
Output: NEG
Potentially Damaging and NOT Recommended . I have no doubt the author is well intentioned and may in fact have had some good results with the exercises outlined.  HOWEVER, in my years of working with borderlines in clinical settings I think many of the exercises are unnecessary and potentially damaging.  Many of the people with BPD I have worked with have astonishingly traumatic abuse histories and to explore self-history without the tools necessary to contain the potentially explosive and RE-traumatizing emotions is foolish and even hurtful.    Furthermore, the author's assertion that the client be able to say that they want to use HIS text in therapy and the recommendation that if the therapist objects that the client move on to another therapist is TOTALLY misguided and naive.  I very much agree that it is important for clients to be able to guide their own work, but I am also highly aware of the ways people with BPD can split different providers.  There are just too many GENUINELY therapeutic reasons to approach the author's recommendations with caution to allow what he says to interrupt what may very well be extraordinary work between a therapist and client.    I STRONGLY SUGGEST PEOPLE LOOK ELSEWHERE, perhaps to the work of Linehan for more appropriate and helpful interventions.      If I could have, I would have given this book no stars
Output: NEG
Excellent Book for Beginners and Experts . Once again, Tom Rosenbauer delivers a clearly-written, practical, and insightful book on fly-fishing. This time he looks at tying and gives many practical tips--especially on the use of tools and materials. For example, a beginner is hit with all these tools--which ones are best, which ones to use, etc. Rosenbauer gives clear descriptions of which tools are most useful, what they're used for, and which ones you don't really need. At the same time, he gives tips from his experience--also useful for the expert.    The bulk of the book is, of course, the fly-tying receipes. He provides many photographs of each step in making a fly. The many photos are probably more than the expert will need, but very important for a beginner. For the expert, you get many great fly receipes.    Overall, highly recommended fly-tying guide
Output: POS
Absurdity . I'm not a big fan of existentialism to start out with, but I began this play expecting at least to find an interesting theme or philosophy concerning the nature of life and existence.  This work, however, is pure tripe.  Critical appraisal should not even be attempted for this drivel- it's akin to the random scribblings of a two-year old or a mud-splattered canvas.  The drawing on the front cover has more artistic value than this play.  In my mind, it doesn't merit serious consideration and analysis, because it is by nature pure absurdity and nonsense.  Beckett sure accomplished his goal though- look how many reviewers commented on the "extremely difficult themes" and "brilliant artistry" of the play
Output: NEG
Toward a Queer of Color Critique . In this brilliant book, Rod Ferguson interrogates canonical sociologys' regulation of sexual difference as part of its pathologization of African American culture.  Sophisticated in its critiques of race, gender, and sexuality within analyses of cultural, economic,and epistemological formations, this book breaks new ground in sociology, American studies, queer theory, and women of color feminism.  Great for graduate and undergraduate courses on the problematic history of the discipline of sociology as well as courses on sexuality and queer theory
Output: POS
Oops -- Honan's Errors . I found 23 factual errors in Honan's book -- when I mentioned this to someone I was told that a reader in Virginia had found 142.  There are much better biographies of Jane Austen out there -- for starters, no one has yet surpassed Elizabeth Jenkins', first published in the 1930s, and a fine recent one, a good introduction to JA's life, is Maggie Lane's latest, Jane Austen's World.  Don't be put off by the fact that it is slick and, as they say, richly illustrated -- it's readable, sound and remarkably complete despite its size
Output: NEG
Beautiful book . This is such a visually stunning book.  I've only made a couple of the dishes in here and they've been good.  But it's more about the write ups on the different foods and the pictures.  It makes a great gift for someone special
Output: POS
and I always thought dummies books were for complete beginners... . Caveat emptor to the absolute beginner. This book is not written for the beginning web page creator. It is not written in a tutorial style. It is good as a reference source as you study a true tutorial type book. It discusses tags and their attributes one at a time without showing you how they fit into your web page code. The beginning chapters throw lots of advanced features at you and tell you they will be discussed in chapter 19 etc.  I was completely overwhelmed after 20 min of reading. So what's a beginner to do? I recommend Create Your First Web Page in a Weekend. By the time you get half way through that book then you can use this dummies book as a reference.  william
Output: NEG
Amazing book . I acutally read the entire book unlike almost all of the people who gave this book a bad rating.  Ann Coulter is a Conservative genius.  She pokes holes in the liberal agenda like no one else.  She is intelligent, and makes very good arguements.  The only reason this book got 4 stars instead of 5 is because the last chapter was a bit dull.  This is some of her earlier writing, and therefore was not the best.  She should have put this chapter closer to the beginning, so it wouldn't be the last thing the reader remembers.      Other than the last chapter, this book is filled with great humor, while still being informative and making her arguements.  She includes some publisher notes from her articles to show that the media does have a liberal bias (even though they say they don't)...this book should be on everyone's must read list!!
Output: POS
Sham not shaman . After reading the book Medicine Woman and the San Francisco Review of Books on the back which says this is an Autobiographical I have to question a few things.       I come from Manitoba and have lived there over 50 years.  I've never heard of a Crowley and the Cree First Nations in Manitoba that I was raised with would not be seeing a Kokopelli or a Kachina.  It's not part of their culture.    The last and final huge mistake is the fact that most of this story could not have taken place outside without huge huge bottles of mosquitoe repellant as anyone who lives in the bush in Manitoba knows especially those who may have a reason to go naked in the woods.    Perhaps Lynn shouldn't be peddling her strange brand of spiritualism as true when it's not.  There are enough charlatans in the world without one stealing someone's culture and calling it her own for the sake of the almight dollar.      Carol
Output: NEG
Ching's Architectural Graphics . This book is a great reference for architecture students and architects.  It shows in great detail drawing types and explains the uses for each of the types.  It is also very helpful at the beginning with explaining the tools for drawing and their uses.  I would recommend this book to anyone; it is a great tool for anyone in the field of design
Output: POS
Outstanding, a comprehensive and valuable text! . Fumon Tanaka sensei's mastery of kobudo, iaijutsu, and jujitsu is well articulated in this excellent work. The writing is much clearer than many Asian master's first works in English. The layout is extraordinarily well done with outstanding photos and illustrations that really augment the text. Content includes budo (martial arts) history, jujutsu, kenjutsu, and samurai tradition. The nito-ken (two-sword) techniques included herein are not widely taught and rarely described in other texts. Basic, intermediate, and advanced Honmon Enshin Ryu applications are well laid out, with many okuden (secret) mastry level techniques portrayed. The focus is primarily on sword to sword applications though there is also a small section on sword vs. yari (spear), naginata (halberd), bo (staff), and shuriken (throwing star) as well. There is also a bit of muto dori (no sword) techniques covered as well.    The author really knows his stuff and communicates it effectively. Tanaka sensei has been studying martial arts since 1956, achieving an 8th dan black belt in kobudo, 7th dan in jujutsu and kyoshi iai suemonogiri kenpo, 5th dan in Bojutsu, and 4th dan in kendo among other accomplishments. While you cannot learn any martial art solely from a book, this work is an excellent place to learn about these systems or augment your dojo training. Highly recommended!    Lawrence Kane  Author of Surviving Armed Assaults, The Way of Kata, and Martial Arts Instructio
Output: POS
"Some  people  are  still  water" . . .  being a survivor can be Agony . . . . Alison McGhee's story is about 17 year-old Rose surviving a collision in which she and her older sister, Ivy, were innocent  victims. Rose agonizes throughout Ivy's lengthy hospitalization, and the accident is replayed over & over; also the mother's 'coping mechanisms' - keeping her hands busy while her mind and heart cannot allow the release of Ivy from the hospital's life lines.    This is a  heart-wrenching story, like a movie that must be seen again and again  -  my reading became skimming at times: I identified Rose as a middle-schooler & didn't want her story to tell young girls that sex is a good release from the agony of being alive; nor is it safe, or without other consequences. (I was never comfortable about the time our daughters spent on the school bus!) McGhee's characters became a part of my life, not to  be sloughed off easily.  (Don't miss her other teen novel, "SNAP" - - also excellent reading for adults.)    Reviewer mcHAIKU agrees with the judges for Minnesota's 2006 Book Awards that the author's "poetic text authentically and movingly reflects the thoughts and actions of a teen who is desperately trying to salvage her life." Alison McGhee's writing, and the characters that developed strengths, the quotes which melded to become prime movers for the telling , and the friends who cultivated the writer's talents - - all are to be admired.     (p.s.: I do wonder why Alison McGhee left the Adirondacks for Minnesota?!)
Output: POS
I guess I just don't get it. . I certainly agree that Portis is a talented writer, but I just didn't find him all that funny.  Perhaps I'm missing something, but I thought that the characters were strange enough, not amusing, just strange.  I was frustrated by the characters and the world that they inhabited.  I forced myself to finish the book and I was rewarded by the one funny line in the whole book, which comes at the very end of the novel
Output: NEG
A Thrilling tale of Music History at it's finest . Dr. Glinsky managed to write a complete factual book and yet have all the action and suspense that you would commonly find in an espionage novel
Output: POS
The People You Meet . One of the joys of reading fiction is in the people you meet on the way. The truly great books have you almost grieving for the characters to whom you must say goodbye as you close the book. So it is with The Gold Bug Variations - I miss Ressler too.    You'll read the prose that approaches poetry, the virtuosity, the contrapuntal style (not contrapunctal, as one reviewer put it), and the breadth of subject material. All of these delight and dazzle, but with Ressler, Powers reaches the heart
Output: POS
Truthiness Isn't Good Enough . This was given to me by a religious friend who thought I might be able to find some value in Christianity in Borg's "new paradigm."  What Borg's book amounts to is that Borg admits that Christianity is not historically or factually true, but he thinks the "truthiness" of Christianity (to borrow Stephen Colbert's term) is good enough.  By treating Christianity and concepts like being "born again" as metaphors, he tries to escape the problem of having to defend the actual truth of Christianity.  As a Christian apologist, he gives away the store, but then claims it's worthwhile to come into the empty store because it will give you a warm feeling.    For Christians who don't really believe in Christianity, but want to rationalize why they attend church, this might be what they need to hear.  But I don't think many people who don't see the point of Christianity to begin with will be convinced.    For me, you should either be rational in deciding what you believe or admit that you're being irrational in your religious beliefs and are just going by your gut anyway.  This kind of half-way house between the two just doesn't do anything for me
Output: NEG
Put this Bride Back on the shelf . I loved the original book &quot;The Sherbrooke Bride&quot;.  I have read all of the bride books and this is by far the worse.  The only reason I have given this book two stars is because it lets us know what has become of our favorite characters.  Otherwise, this book is a complete waste of time.  If you want to be thoroughly entertained I suggest reading the first book which happens to be about Alex and Douglass.  Skip the second for Ryder's story is so-so.  I would then read Sinjun's search for love.  It is very funny and captivating.  Ms. Coulter generally writes really good books.  She should have quit while she was ahead
Output: NEG
Am Israel Chai . This a compelling true story in which anyone who reads it will be swept up.  It is about three men , Israel Carmi , Jochanan Pelz and Arie Pinchuk, who form the Jewish Brigade , a division of Jewish soldiers from Israel, in the British army-"the first official Jewish fighting force since the fall of the Judea to the Roman legions". At the time when Jews are being victimized and lead like sheep to the slaughter , the Jewish Brigade , with a yellow Star of David emblazoned to their uniform , fighting for the Jewish people , and their homeland of Israel, shows the world that Jews can fight back and win.  It also tells the remarkable story of Arie Pichuk's sister Leah , and her escape from the Nazis , surviving as a fugitive in the Ukraine , before joining  the anti-Nazi Partisans.  After the war , the men witness first hand what the Nazis have done to their people, and set off on a course of identifying , finding and killing Nazi officers who have participated in the holocaust.  Their hatred and ferocity threatens to overwhelm them , until a chance encounter with an orphaned Jewish girl sets them on a more constructive course-smuggling Jewish boys and girls into Israel, despite the British blockade which tires to prevent Jews from entering the ancient homelnd from which they where forced out by the Romans two thousand years before.  It is therefore a true narrative about the re-establishment of the State of Israel , where Jewish children can grow up insafety and live as free men and women , in a free homeland of their own.  That is Zionism , which has been so maligned by evil forces , who want the Jews to fall pray to genocide again.  Every descent person , Jew or Gentile , needs to dedicate themselves to ensuring that Israel survives as a Jewish State in which Jews can live freely and safely.  Anything else will guarantee another holocaust.  Israel and the Jewish people are faced with the same genocidal hate today , that the Jews where faced with during World War II  Our heroes play a role in defending Israel after the fledgling state is attacked by five Arab armies , hellbent on genocide.  Am Israel Chai.   The People of Israel live!
Output: POS
Terrific, Insightful Book . I think some of the negative impressions of this book stem from the fact that people were expecting something different from "Joe Bob Briggs." Well, the truth is that before he was Joe Bob's, real name is John Bloom and he was (and is) a fantastic award winning investigative journalist.    His serious side really shines here. He has written a very accessible, erudite and enjoyable book of criticism here, and his critiques of these challenging films still resides within a moral frame work. He strikes a balance here that I think few critics could pull off given the subject matter.     But mainly it's just a great read, even for those that aren't necessarily film buffs. The generous and well-done layout is also worth commending. I highly recommend.
Output: POS
One Word: Scary! . Scares me more than any terrorist, earthquake, comet or meteor from space ever could!    As a med student and son and nephew of military doctors this book frightens me much more than my uncle's stories of Viet Nam casualties, or my father's dealings with injury victims in a big city hospital.    The Coming Plague deals with our inability to truly comprehend a global disater out there just waiting to strike. With recent occurences such as Marburg's grip in Africa as well as SARS, AIDS continued spread, and Bird Flu in Asia, ordinary citizens and especially governments around the world had better wake up ...    Seems that isn't happening. Even the CDC and WHO according to some of the early pioneers in the fight against infectious disease, are today filled with pencil pushers, bureaucrats and  people that have no field experience. They have lost touch with the real world of microbes. Compare them to generals that have never been in any real combat abroad, but are commanding troops.    This sobering book reveals that with all of our scientific knowledge and skill, we are not ready for a pandemic in the 21st century. That no we cannot totally fend off every serious microbe that comes our way, but that we'd better be prepared!    Suspenseful, heroic, mysterious, unsettling and painfully sad at times, this book is very difficult to put down. The Bible of infectious diease. Full of astounding information. It is a must read for anyone curious about this monumentally important subject.
Output: POS
This is...pragmatic. . It looks like I'm the lone commentator. NEway, this book is about a guy who really, really wants to quit smoking...but.  He's addicted and he just can't get off.  He goes to this place, Quitters, Inc (hence the title) and they make him quit, literally, make him!  All +s up to a thrilling ride.  Nice nice nice.  -=Dazz=
Output: POS
This one will keep your kids interested! . Great book!  We had the 2006 edition for my 7-year-old son last year and he couldn't wait to get his hands on the new 2007.  He takes it to school for free reading time and all of the kids love it.  Even our friend's 12-year-old says it's very popular among that age group as well.  It's great because it has something for everyone, is educational, and the sections can be read in short sittings.  The cover is almost worn out because he takes it everywhere.  We now give this book as gifts all the time
Output: POS
If forced to choose between this book & a visit to the gynecologist -- head for the stirrups. . Here's the thing -- I wanted to learn the story of Isolde and that is why I picked up this book in the first place.  I have read one other Miles book (I, Elizabeth) and that wasn't very impressive but I thought I'd give Isolde a try.  It was painful!  Miles chronically uses flamboyant and overstated language which just feels silly.  Her characters are very poorly developed.  Also, the author has a strange habit of often not setting up scenes which is resultingly jolting -- leaves the reader thinking, 'Wait!  Where the heck did that come from?'  After reading this book, I couldn't decide if I was more annoyed with the author for writing like this or with her editors for publishing such weak, unskilled writing.
Output: NEG
Why rush in the queue for hell? . It seems extraordinary that a man who claims to write about the sixteenth century has omitted some of the key aspects of the period, such as the Crusades and The Norman Conquest.  This oversight is deeply criminal and  the book flounders for it
Output: NEG
Bryson is excellent . The book moves, is enlightening, funny, and educational.  If you have ever walked in the woods, it might not look the same again
Output: POS
The Best World History Atlas Book Anywhere . The Oxford Atlas is the best of all competitors. It is full-size, high quality ink and paper, 368 pages and covers most areas of history from the caveman to the present time. I am not speaking of the concise edition but of the full-size edition. The ISBN number is #0195215672.     This book covers about 2,000,000 years of history from the origins of humanity to the year 2000. The Atlas is the result of over three years' work by internationally renowned cartographers, an expert editorial team and specialist academic consultants
Output: POS
mind opener . I first read this book shortly after it was published and it was one that started me on a journey of discovery about natural selection and sexual selection. From being someone who was more focussed on social sciences at last I had discovered a more scientific way of understanding the world that made much more sense. The natural world, human societies and my own family relationships began to connect in a more comprehensible whole.    So the best parts of the book for me are those about natural selection and Family Values rather than the workings of the human mind, though these sections are also a very good read.    Having read widely since, I know there is far more that needs to be understood. Particularly with sexual selection there are a lot of women, like myself, who are aware that female sexuality throughout the animal kingdom is more complex than has been thought with female promiscuity far more prevalent than would be expected with the assumption that a female only needs to mate with one male.    Also, with human females having concealed ovulation a man could mate with vast numbers of females and never have a single offspring whereas it is the female who needs to be mating a lot when she is ovulating - and not necessarily with only one male.    It is only humans that have females producing all their offspring from a single father - in other species, though a male may have exclusive access to a number of females it is never for life and he will be replaced or the female will move to another male.    Pinker does make clear points about human males owning daughters, sisters and wives and enforcing monogamy on them, which naturally overrides female mate choice. He is not offensive in the way some male writers are when they write as if females are naturally passive and monogamous while males gleefully exploit one female after another.    In this book Pinker writes better about the sexes than he does in 'The Blank Slate' when he writes about rape.    Though I now know enough to be able to question points in this book, I still think it is an excellent read and would recommend it to anyone and everyone.
Output: POS
OK for text book use . I read this book hoping for a clear understanding of Buddhism.  This book is written very bland.  Very few pictures too.  I find it difficult to read and follow.
Output: NEG
Cherry Jones +++ . The thing about audio books is the reader, who can make or break the aural experience.  Cherry Jones makes what would otherwise be a dated novel come alive.  Her ability to portray multiple characters of both genders is astonishing
Output: POS
In your head. . It got inside my head... and has not left after a year
Output: POS