niryuu/sni-each-converted huggingface dataset:
A good book for those who are gifted or their parents . Being gifted doesn't mean you know everything and have figured everything out.  It just means you're brighter than the average bear and can leap to conclusions and see connections faster than others.  You also remember better and thus cannot stand things being repeated over and over.  Unfortunately, because society is designed for those who are less bright, this causes problems for the gifted.  This book explores what those problems are.  Both while growing up and as adults.  A very enlightening book and one I recommend to those who are gifted or who are parents of gifted children/adults
Output: POS
Worth reading . What can one say about this book that hasn't been said before?  "Speaker for the Dead" is fundamentally different from "Ender's Game."  Those expecting epic space battles and wild technology will instead be confronted with science fiction in which the primary science is anthropology, which is a welcome change of pace.  "Speaker for the Dead" is by turns gripping, moving, frustrating, interesting, preachy and grossly manipulative.  It's not perfect, but what is?      Wise readers will stop the Ender series at the end of "Speaker for the Dead" and pretend that "Xenocide" doesn't exist.  Don't say I didn't warn you
Output: POS
All about trading in the stock market . William O'neal covers all major stock trading areas in this book: how to find a broker, his CAN SLIM method for making money on stocks, When to sell,how to diversify, when to buy options, he shows charts of the biggest stock winners from 1953 to 1993, how to read stock price history charts and much more. It is a lot of information to take in and is not for beginners. I would advise reading "The neatest little guide to the stock market" before reading this book if you are just starting out in the land of individual stocks.    Here is a summary of his CAN SLIM method to making money in the stock market, this is how to buy stocks:  C= Current quarterly earnings:are they enough?  A=Annual earnings increases:do they have meaningful growth?  N=New products,New management,New highs:is it time to buy?  S=Supply and demand:Small capitalization plus big volume demand equals price increase.  L=Leader or Laggard:Only buy leaders.  I=Institutional sponsorship:A little will drive up price.  M=Market Direction=How to determine it and follow.    The final chapter is 18 common mistakes most investors make, this is excellent advice for what not to do.    This book's author believes in buying for growth with little regard to actual value or P/E ratios. He justifies this by showing all the the big misses a value investor would have had not buying hot stocks over the years because a value investor would have thought they were over valued, when they were priced at a premium due to growth factors.    Great book I highly recommend
Output: POS
Keep looking. . This book says too little about so much. Save your money and buy a real book not a promo type book for other books
Output: NEG
It is a lovely notebook however it was not for me . all I really wanted was some place where I could keep track of the books I read and my thoughts on them. This book is wondefully laid out but it is oriented more for people who belong to reding groups or book clubs etc. If you just want a little book diary for yourself then do not buy this book. Do yourself a favor and buy a regular notebook but if you do belong to a group or like to discuss your books then this is an excellent buy
Output: POS
Perfect story Post Katrina . My children have had to deal with tremendous unexpected changes in our lives as our home was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina.  One day we were in a home and my four year olds were just getting settled into school.  The next day we were living 500 miles away from home, their home was destroyed, and they were placed in new schools.  This story was perfect in explaining to them that change happens to everyone.  Sometimes these changes are very unexpected.  If we are willing to embrace change we can make this change an opportunity rather than a tragedy.  Wonderful principles to teach to kids.  My wife and I learned from it also
Output: POS
what the hell . JEWEL IS ON CRACK.  WHAT THE HELL IS THIS?!?    "Women who suck  their cigarettes  as though they were  giving their  hatred head"    WHAT....?
Output: NEG
She made a revolution in the conception of what the City should be . This book created a revolution in city-planning when it was published in the early sixties. Jacobs loved the city that she saw from her Hudson and eleventh street apartment New York City apartment. This was not the city that the master planners Burnham, Mumford etc idolized. Her city was small stores, and businesses, and the greatest possible diversity of buildings and architectural styles. People doing all kinds of different things. Life on the move. Density and diversity. Short blocks and lots of people out walking on different destinations.
Output: POS
The one to have . If you want one book on Categorical Data analysis, this is the one.  But there are others that are easier to read, if your math is not great (including the same author's book with an almost identical title
Output: POS
Very stupid book . I purchased this book thinking that it would have good ways to make my boring room look a bit interesting, but I, as a thirteen-year-old, wasn't impressed with the ideas in the book. Condratitory to what the author says, the projects were NOT fun, NOT cheap, NOT for a teen audience, NOT interesting, and NOT a good addition to your room whatsoever. The four themes in this book, which include flowers, teddy bears, funky, and nature, all look as if they were made for the ten-and-under age group. I mean, seriously, what teen devotes their whole room to TEDDY BEARS and decorate every inch with the strange projects in this book? The ideas for the projects are unoriginal, strange, and lame. For example, some of the ideas suggests that you splatter your bedroom wall with multi-colored paints, make a scrunchie holder out of a recycled soda bottle, put a headboard behind your bed that says "I Love Teddy Bears," and so on. Yeah, I know, it's stupid and immature. So if you want a GOOD book that will give you some GOOD room decorating project ideas, definitely stay clear of this one!
Output: NEG
Absolutely Wonderful! . 1970s suburbian life style is the setting of this compelling novel. This story follows the lives and drama surrounding a small town where four beautiful girls try to break free of their strict parents in very sinful ways. The book is narrated by a small groups of boys who become bewitched and pulled into the drama of these young girls lives. I absolutely love this book it was so real and full of heart and sisterly honour. That may not sound so great to those who understand the kind of honour these girls have with one anothers but its a wonderful novel that isnt for the faint at heart. It hits hard into a common death and problem among young girls and young boys
Output: POS
Great Story; Very depressing, but very well written. . The Corrections is the tale of the Lambert family, a pretty standard late 20th century Midwestern family.  Alfred Lambert, the father, suffers from an array of old-age medical disorders. His wife, Enid, lives in denial of his (and her own) problems and thrusts her frustration upon their now-grown children:  Chip, the failed academic turned New York screenwriter, Denise, the sexually confused upscale cook in Philadelphia and Gary, the maritally frustrated investment banker in Philly.  The plot follows the three children's lives as the fall apart, seemingly in sync with the collapse of Alfred's health.  The story is driven by Enid's desire to have her three children return home for Alfred's "last" Christmas.    Franzen does an amazing job of carefully winding the story together, introducing fun moments of "aha!" to the reader.  Recurring themes and motifs include mind altering drugs, the boom of the late 1990s, and the former Soviet Bloc.  Secondary characters connect primary characters together via seemingly random (yet believable) relationships.    I found this novel an interesting read, but I had a hard time getting through it.  The novel, at times, is horribly depressing.  The relationships of Gary, Denise, and Chip are painful to read, although maybe that's what makes this novel so captivating at times - you can really identify with the characters.  I think, at one point or another, we've all been a Gary, Denise, Chip or Enid
Output: POS
"A dark wind has entered his soul" . "Enemies unseen... Fears unspoken...... A dark wind has entered his soul"     Navajo Tribal Police Sgt. Jim Chee seems to be batting zero; so far he has not been able to solve a series of seemingly unrelated crimes. In an area that was joint use land between the Navaho and the Hopi (now Hopi) Sgt Jim Chee is given the task of finding the vandal that keeps destroying a windmill placed there to make Hopi life easer. He hears an airplane landing in the dark of night with no lights. The plane crashes and leaves a dying pilot. Also a dead man sitting up against a rock with a note in his hand saying if you want it back contact...    Sgt Chee is told that it is probably drugs and federal jurisdiction. Chee is not supposed to go anywhere near or have anything to do with the case. He has his own problems with the mill, a missing thief, and a mysterious ritual death. Naturally he listens, and can not help it if they overlap.        One of the reasons for reading Hillerman's books maybe more important than the overlying mystery is the descriptions of the area and the Ways of the Navaho and Hopi. Hillerman suggests you also read "The Book of the Hopi" by Frank Waters.    Not as intricate as the book but still fun is the movie "Dark Wind" (Lou Diamond Phillips as Officer Jim Chee, Fred Ward as Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn
Output: POS
Not one of her better ones... . I've been a fan of this series for years, but this one was really disappointing. One almost gets the impression that Braun herself has lost interest in the series...(IF she even writes the books anymore!?) Of course, the books have always been slow, but they did have a certain charm to them, making them the perfect bedtime material...but, boy, did I sleep well,when I was reading THIS one..
Output: NEG
Incomprehensible . I tried to find specific conditions in the book - and the procedures to follow for treating them.  I couldn't even figure out the procedures to follow when reading them - the writing just isn't very clear.    If there is any organization to this book, I couldn't detect it.  The author is very enthusiastic about the material and gives lots of her experiences with her patients.  That's nice, but judicious editing, better organization and clarity is what this book needs.
Output: NEG
Pretty Neat Book . As the synopsis indicates, this book is about a cat that dies 8 times before it finds it's life-to-be whle he is living the ninth.  There's a little angel-like picture of the cat with angel wings leaving each time the cat dies.  It's interesting but oftentimes, I think a little much for the toddlers.  There's a bunch of info in this book that makes it fun to discover and explore and actually, I think the artwork is better than the actual story.  The idea behind this is good, but I think I agree with the other reviewers that more and equal focus should be placed on the story itself, and not just in the illustrations.  My favorite part is seeing what's going on behind the scenes in the illustrations alongside the pages.      It's a nice book but maybe look for another one of Brett's books if you're reading this to a toddler. It's not as entertaining as say her Gingerbread Baby book
Output: POS
Lighten up, folks! . The author has provided the context in which he wrote this book.  As an adolescent boy in the 1970s, I found it an interesting read.  Since I had the good sense to not attempt any of the hare-brained schemes in the book, I am still healthy and have all of my limbs.  If people are interested in improvised munitions and the like, there are at least six (6) US Army FMs and TMs on the subject that I am aware of.  Bear in mind that the making of explosive devices is a serious felony, and should not be attempted without the proper Federal and State licenses and permits.  BATFE does not take kindly to the making of unregistered and untaxed explosives
Output: NEG
A Must-Have for Anyone into Landscape Ecology or GIS . If the credentials of the authors didn't convince of the quality of this book, I'm not sure I can.  I will say that I have read and re-read the book several times, and that it's a vital resource in our laboratory.  From the various issues of scaling to what analyses do what, this book is an excellent resource of theories and technologies involved in Landscape Ecology
Output: POS
Source code not working . If you want to learn ISAPI programming, getting this book might help little
Output: NEG
Do yourself a favor and pass on this piece of garbage . I also bought the hype of NYTimes Best Seller.  Goes to show you some people have really bad taste.  The story was promising and could have been exciting without the awful dialog.  It seems like the author was being paid by the word - too much repetition, entire scenes which added nothing to the story, etc.  I would NEVER purchase another book by this author.  Glad it's over and this ones in the trash can...  Charli
Output: NEG
excellent study . I wanted to express my agreement with the September 2005 review of Understanding Paranoia in the Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, that says, "This book is an important and useful work...beneficial to laypersons...also helpful for clinicians...a valuable guide." To me, that says it all.
Output: POS
This is a great book! . This books makes the cutest models and manipulative things!  If you make lapbooks, or notebooks for your units this would be the thing to get.  There are things here I have seen nowhere else.  It is adaptable up or down to the grade level it shows.  Perfect for homeschooling. I have used some of it in a group as well
Output: POS
Good Grief . Like many reveiwers have already stated, this is a different type of King novel. There definitely is a slow unwind at the start for the first hundred and fifity pages or so, but I personally found much of it engaging. Beyond the main love story and Lisey's coping with grief over the loss of her writer husband, much of the book deals with Scott's damaged childhood, and the outlets the creative mind take to cope and fabricate in order to survive, but also in his case, to thrive.  The climax for me was a slight disappointment, however the book overall was a reinvigorated and different world for King
Output: POS
"You will be haunted by this story ..." . I've just finished page 341, the last page. It's midnight here in these Connemara hills and I can't rest. I'm unsettled. I need to write something about this book. But what? Do I love it? Do I hate it? In the beginning I felt like quitting after every ten pages, then continuing after the next ten pages, and so on, and so on. I felt myself both repulsed and seduced. Eventually I gave in. Gave in to Nick Flynn's words, sentences, story, language, world, universe. The universe of Nick Flynn's disfunctional family: his alcoholic, delusional, absentee father and his suicidal mother, form the foundation of this memoir. In large measure it's a journey in search of his father, a man who lives by his wits, fuelled by alcohol, driven by the delusion/fear of writing the 'Great American Novel' (with a million dollar advance and the Nobel prize certainties in that delusion), to eventual homelessness on the street. It's also Nick Flynn is search of himself. But it's none of the above. It's truly a work of literature that sets out, on every page, to capture, and lose, the mystery of the human condition. It's surreal, a glimpse at a parallel universe that we may all be living. This book finds a kinship with Joyce and Beckett, and it's no wonder that Nick Flynn chooses an excerpt from Beckett's 'Endgame' to open the story: HAMM: Scoundrel! Why did you engender me? NAGG: I don't know. HAMM: What? Why didn't you know? NAGG: That it'd be you.     You will be haunted by this story long after you've finished reading it.
Output: POS
Very old and outdated... . Don't waste your money on this one!  A vast majority of the websites are no longer valid.  The author really needs to issue a revised edition.  It is rather unfortunate too because it it put together so well and in a easy to use format...it just needs a refresher edition
Output: NEG
Best of the Best . Were you to read only one Wodehouse book (God forbid) which one might it be? I would suggest this one, although there are numerous contenders from the Jeeves, Drones, golf, Mr. Mulliner and Blandings stories, not to mention the one-offs and great unknowns.    Although this book has what might be called an overarching narrative, being that all the tales are told in the first person by one Bertie Wooster, the chapters nevertheless neatly fall out as short stories even if with somewhat "cliffhanger" endings, which is to say they don't resolve.    That almost perfect format will delight both short story fans and afficianados of the novel, and also spun off some of the best TV yarns in the Jeeves and Wooster and World of Wodehouse TV series.    My British edition (for copyright reasons not for sale in the U.S.) shows a cover photo op of Ian Carmichael as Wooster in the BBC series "The World of Wooster". As PGW noted, this was one of many instances where Bertie was overly mature and greyed; there seems a deliberate attempt to make Carmichael seem older-- whereas most readers, Wodehouse included, see him as somewhat youngish.     In Wodehouse Playhouse, which includes brief vignettes of PGW, he gives his imprimatur to the series for at least casting Bertie somewhat younger. Even better was the stellar performance in Jeeves and Wooster, in which "Pearls Mean Tears" "Comrade Bingo" and a number of these other chapters, expanded into episodes, appear. No wonder such a wonderful series was inspired by such a delightful read
Output: POS
An engaging and very thorough history of the Hope Diamond . This is a fascinating book! Kurin gives a color and life to the history of the Hope Diamond, showing the interesting characters and lives touched by the "curse" and also those lives that have been positively affected by the diamond.     There are photos, paintings, illustrations, and cartoons interspersed in the text to help bring alive the history of the gem. The writing was smooth and accessible and I truly enjoyed the look into history and past cultures as the author brought us on a world and historical tour of the Hope Diamond
Output: POS
Lao's review . The Secret History is a record of the Mongolian Royal families, which is thought to have been written during the thirteenth century.  Paul Kahn has kept the original prose format in his translation, which I feel makes this the only version to own.  It begins with the creation myth of the wolf and deer from which the Mongolian people (in legend) are descended from; throught he birth of Temujin, and ending with the ascention to the throne of Ogedai Khan. I highly recommend this to those who are looking for primary sources to add to their Asian history collections
Output: POS
Disappointed . Nothing new in this book and CD does not add to the value of this purchase. I purchased the book and CD combination in hopes of having experiential exercises. Exercises are provided, yet the author merely explains these on the CD versus guiding one through a meditation. It feels as if he is merely reading the directions for the exercises and the exercises are not new or imaginative. If one is new to self help books on healing trauma or anxiety, this may be the book for you. I've read and heard authors and psychologists talk about the flight and fight response over 20 years ago. I, personally, have found more healing/success in spiritual books, guided meditations or intense physical exercise where my heart rate increases or in strength training.
Output: NEG
Complexity through connections . The work of Duncan J. Watts was admittedly inspired by the work of social-psychologist at Harvard University, Stanley Milgram, in the late 1967 on experiment on the problem called "small world" problem: "anyone person in the world could be reached through a network of friends in only a few steps; in Watts language, "after the cocktail party banter in which two strangers discover that they have a mutual acquaintance and remind each other what "a small world" it is. Surprisingly, Milgram's results led to the phrase "six degrees of separation": the degree of network of friends between me and you will never be more than six! I know someone who knows someone who knows someone else who knows someone that knows someone who becomes my friend!    I feel a must to urge the readers to read the book in order to understand further what science of network can give us. Among the popular books of networks, reading Watts' Six Degrees is important since the book was made seriously by the author for unlimited readers. It is a time for physics gives something valuable on constructing new scientific sociological work to day.     Hokky Situngkir  Bandung Fe Institut
Output: NEG
A book full of examples of how NOT to write perl . I couldn't resist the title, so I got this book. Unfortunately, I cannot reccommend it to people who want to learn to write better Perl, execpt as a source of examples of the mistakes you should avoid.    For example, in one of the earliest examples, the authors uses "return undef" in a situation where the return value of the routine is assigned to an array, to indicate the routine didn't find any of whatever it was looking for. Unfortunately, this is a mistake, the correct code would be to use "return;" all on its own. The correct solution produces an empty array or interim values; the mistake creates an array containing one element, 'undef'.    There are a number of similar mistakes which indicate the author is in over his head, writing things he doesn't understand; the editors know even less about the matter; and the code was never tested and verified for correctness.    If you want to learn Perl, get "Learning Perl"; If you want to improve your Perl, get "Intermediate Perl.    To
Output: NEG
She has done better work . This book is an enjoyable read if you have nothing better to do.  I failed to be captivated by it.  The characters lack the heartwrenching dramatic intensity that you find in her other works.  Maybe it is because Alice Walker is such a phenominal author that people just expect so much from her.  Still, this book is NOT making the cut for my personal library
Output: NEG
Awful book on its own for complete beginner . I wanted to teach my son to program and chose VB and this book.  This book really "looks" great but I'm not impressed by the content. So much so that it compelled me to write my first ever book review.    The introduction "Who Is This Book For?" gives a sense that this book can get people into programming.   I would be amazed however if anyone not familiar with programming will get past Chapter 1 without being frightened by the whole prospect of programming.  Chapter 1 initially jumps into some Microsoft marketing of .Net which really adds nothing but confuses the readers by having to deal with line after line of computer jargon.  Then the chapter gives a horrible overview of Object Orientation which again doesn't help later.    I feel the whole book is like the first chapter. Doesn't give you some of the basics but rambles about more complex stuff you don't need between some hands on practical stuff.     I actually thought the first example was really poor also.  I am of the opinion that someone typing something in themselves and seeing it work should be rewarding.  The example however was hard for a novice as it had long lines of comments and the line to print the variables was a minefield of quotes and symbols making it pretty likely that a beginner would do a typo.      The title of the book is "Build a Program Now!".  This the book does and given how complex setting up an environment it is helpful.  But I've slammed the rating of this book because this could have covered with a lot less pages and maybe substitute some of the drivel with a little about the syntax of VB or even some explanation of the example code.    DON'T buy this book if you think it will teach you anything about computing or programming.    DO buy this book if you have some other teaching reference for Visual Basic and want something that will help you setup your build environment.  Also comes with a VB Express CD so you don't have to downloaded it.
Output: NEG
I is for Innocent . This book is not as good as some of Grafton's other books but still has the same type of quality that she exhibits in all of her books.  In this one, Kinsey is asked to follow up a deceased PI in solving a 6-year old murder
Output: POS
Excellent read . I couldn't put it down. I think it really sets the reader up with a better understanding of Iran in the 20th century, and how things have gotten so out of hand there now 26 years after the ordeal ended
Output: POS
A great program!! . I know DR. Young and Shelley personally. They went to school with my dad and are great people. I have been to their home and retreat center Rancho Del Sol, and it is a great place. I also have been on the Ph Miracle diet for about 6 months now, and it works! I have lost over 20 pounds since then and I have cleared up some nasty protein pools in my blood that Rob found six months ago when I started the program.  At first I was a bit skeptical and hesitant to go on the program, but after time I felt that it was working and it was great. The food - which is cooked by a good friend of my family's and is also on the Ph program - is excellent, and the program is great.  And, those jerks that attack Rob and Shelley personally are nothing but low-life jerks. Rob and Shelley are wonderful people and great friends of mine. On their retreat to Rancho Del Sol, they went so far out of their way to help me and all of the others on the retreat.  And, when you watch Rob do a live blood test, it is fascinating. He presents his findings in conferences that are followed by a great Alkaline lunch. And the findings are very interesting. He bases most of his work on the work of A. Bechamp, an 18th century scientist that was an understudy of Louis Pasture. The facts are there, and quiet fascinating. He (Rob) is brilliant, but a bit excentric. But that is understandable considering his passion for his work.  Over all, this program works. I love the alternative path way to health, but do admit that Western methods are needed at times. I just feel that you don't need to "Dope up" on Px drugs at the first sigh of trouble.  So I give this 5 stars not just for the program, but for Rob and Shelley as my good friends.   But...  Do this in moderation to other healthy lifestyles. Don't just go 100 percent Alkaline all of the sudden. Slowly work your way to that wanted PH and be moderate with other health practices.  So 5 stars for me.  The book presents it all. A great read on the Ph program for weight loss! But do not assume something until you have read the book. And forget what you might think about the program until you read the book and have a sound understanding of Rob's theory.  Thank you Rob and Shelley!!
Output: POS
Witten well but narrow in view ,  a self catharthis. . This book will be a great disappointment to many stroke survivors and their relatives, as it was to me, a survivor. It tells the story of one man in England, with moments that make you think there is a similarity, only to be disappointed.  The only hope for the book is the wife's diary, and her  feelings from the event through the treatment. But even then there is the  feeling that her diary in censored, knowing that it would be published. The  author does direct the reader to some other good books, and gives us a  happy ending. The book does teach us that life goes on, even if you have a  stroke, but stroke suvivors already know that fact
Output: NEG
strong family drama . In England though she recently broke up with her boyfriend, seventeen-year-old Charlotte feels good about herself and her future as she is doing well in school, lives in a relatively happy all female home, and seems adjusted.  That is until she learns she is pregnant.    Her mom Karen is a teacher's aide struggling with her mother Nan's mind slowly slipping away with the demands from that side already overwhelming. Her patience is over the edge when Charlotte informs her she is pregnant.  Upset and unable to contain her anger, Karen cannot believe that history has repeated itself because when she was sixteen she gave birth to Karen.  Though she loves her daughter all her dreams died with her birth.  She did marry the father but thankfully divorced that loser soon afterward.  As Nan drifts deeper into the past including insisting that she adopted Karen, the mentally exhausted sandwich generation is not sure what to do as Charlotte decides to give birth except to flee in search of her biological mother dreaming of a loving comforting welcome.    This fascinating character study is at its best when the audience sees deep inside the three generations with deep understanding of being an unwed mother, a child having a child, the sandwich generation, and the creeping of dementia (as well as a late stroke).  When the tale spins off into the biological mother twist it loses some of its depth until Karen returns to her "real" family.  Somewhat a soap opera, THE BAD MOTHER'S HANDBOOK is a strong family drama that focuses on the demands and responsibilities on women without men.    Harriet Klausner
Output: POS
Not really . I have a hard time understanding what it is that I dislike about the novel. I dislike it almost as much as the movie.  I have been a loyal follower of Smiley and some more after that. Once the Cold War was over, JlC had to look for a new realm. I tried to follow him, but gave up with the Kaukasian troubles, forgot the name of the book.  Maybe it is this: JlC's trade mark, his USP, is the evilness of the other side. With the KGB & Co., that worked perfectly. His readers were willing to stay with him and believe him.  Now he is transferring the KGB style to all sorts of other badies. I think it does not work any more.  It is not that I trust the pharmaceutical companies enough to not be like here insinuated. I do not.  What I do not like, I guess, is the artificial mood of intellectual suffering from the evilness of all kind of conspiracies. Tess in this story seems to be the normal do-gooder who falls foul with the baddies. That is more ok in the book than in the movie. (There, for my eyes, Rachel Weisz does herself discredit.)  What is absolutely not ok is the surrender of command by the narrator mid way. JlC gives up on trying to keep a believable storyline and declines into darkest conspiracy allegations
Output: NEG
Only connect? . Our entire book club disliked this book. We had a hard time feeling a connection to the characters. Howard, the largest presence in this story, feels like a blank at the core. Upon putting this book down, his motivations and what might be in his heart were still a mystery to me. Characters such as Jerome, Victoria, and Carl were intriguingly introduced, but then inconsistently treated for the rest of the text. Especially Carl - he just disappears - no resolution to his story at all. As am homage to Howard's End, some of the parallels were not strongly enough underscored to flesh out this book for me. For example, the heart-to-heart connection between Kiki Belsey and Carlene Kipps does not jump off the page at you the way the connection between Margaret Schlegel and Mrs. Wilcox did.     I thought Zora was one of the most interesting characters, and I like how Smith contrasted her obviously high intelligence and intellectual arrogance with her social awkwardness and sexual insecurity. But Smith makes her smug a bit too often, and so feeling a connection with Zora is difficult as well - most of the time I just wanted to smack her. And I have to agree with the others that Smith needs to brush up on her American characterizations. There was next to no authenticity in that regard. Especially the Southern dialogue - laughable!    It also feels like Smith had a hard time figuring out how to end this book...I understand that end is supposed to be a beginning of sorts...but the fact that there were so many plot threads left dangling, unresolved, by the last page just gave me a feeling of incomplete-ness.     Aaaargh...must go and re-read Howard's End to dispell the queasy feeling left by On Beauty
Output: NEG
Who is this about? . I bought and read this book for a class and found it very difficult to take much away from. The accounts are potentially very enlightening, but the author's writing style obfuscates their values. Her interjection of her own personal stories into the work was sloppy and often left me unsure of who I was reading about. While I don't know of any other book which tells these stories, there are many other books that contain similar accounts which are far more effective
Output: NEG
A True Fire From The Start... . "Shadowfires" was another wonderful book in the long line of great Koontz novels, and this one was no different.    We have the story of a woman named Rachel, and her husband, Eric Leben. Eric was a doctor in genetics who was fighting with his wife until he is pushed in front of a bus, by her, and killed. Rachel felt that maybe freedom was at last hers, until hours later, Eric is missing from the morgue, and we learn the awful truth of his secret work.     I felt that this book had action from the very first few pages, and did not stop until the very last word. I was thrilled with the roller coaster of a ride that Koontz took me on, and i could not put the book down once i started on the journey. Koontz makes great use of location, and our fears of within, to give us this great chiller of the experiments of man to be more than human. A definite gem in the Koontz collection, a must have for any collector, and a great place to start for anyone taking a look at his work for the first time. A Masterpiece. My only wish of this book: It should have been made into a movie. -C
Output: POS
Good enough to pass the exam -- despite some typos . Overall, the book provides a good coverage of the exam material at a reasonable price and is easy to read, especially if compared to Harris book and the Official (ISC)2 Guide. At the same time, I noticed a few typos and inaccuracies, which was very unfortunate. That was why I gave it 2 stars instead of 4 that it deserves. At the end, it did the job, and I passed the exam, although, after reading this book, I reviwed a few CBK domains I was less familiar with in the Official (ISC)2 Guide. Unfortunately, none of the books I checked, including a more expensive Harris book and moreover, none of the cheap overviews like the Passport book, provides a 100% coverage of the material that is tested. Therefore, unless you have a real IT-related experience, you may be caught by surprise at the exam, no matter which book(s) you used. As for the typos, even the Official Guide has a few
Output: NEG
take a different class . After a semester using the text i have come to the conclusion that the authors, Brehm, Kassin, and Fein, leave more questions then answers and that their sub-par sense of humor is more then just a waste of money.  After reading certain sections i get the feeling that the authors do not clearly understand the issue at hand, but rather throw 15 different research studies at the topic covering their uncertainty and topping it off with a dire attempt at a joke leaving the reader completely ambiguous
Output: NEG
good basic book, but lots of errors and typos . It's a good basic overview, but the errors in the code snips are just too frustrating. I bought it because it was recently published (2006). But trying to get PEAR to work (DB.php has been superseded by MDB2.php) and even the simple form were exercises in futility.      If you do use it get an AMP package (google: Uniform Server) and skip the install section. You'd think O'Reilly could include and AMP stack on a CD in the book and use that 20 pages for another exercis
Output: NEG
A must read . This remarkable, very readable book is written as a conversation between two women born in Beijing at the same time as the People's Republic of China. As the women explore the similarities and differences in their experiences--from housing arrangements, to elementary school, to their roles in the early months of the Cultural Revolution, to the years spent working in rural China--the reader learns about the wide range of what it means to have grown up in the PRC. The result is a reflective, thought-full, and nuanced look at this tumultuous period in China's recent history
Output: POS
Love it or hate it . This is the favorite book of a friend of mine, she rereads it every year. She chose it for our bookclub, and the rest of us hated it! I think this is the best example I know of a book that either really connects with you, or doesn't at all. I have a degree in Eng. Lit. and certainly have encountered a number of books written in an unique or poetic style that I loved, but this one was for me rambling, full of tedious detail that lead nowhere and, since I didn't like a single character, I never felt invested in anything that happened to them. For others what was tedium for me, was poetry. I made myself read the whole book for the sake of the bookclub, but it was like taking medicine--still I can see that every word was a joy for my friend. This isn't a matter of being good or bad, its obviously a masterpiece for some, but if it isn't your kind of writing, you will find it more than a chore to get through
Output: NEG
Intrator's book captures the teacher'r heart . Sam Intrator has collected a diverse sampling of stories from teachers of all types.  They inspire and inform and are enjoyable to read.  I would strongly recommend this book for anyone who teaches, from preschool to graduate school
Output: POS
Infuriating and Disappointing... . I wanted to read this book as lighthearted summer fun.  Instead, I found a rather dreary tale of some seriously mixed up people.  Most infuriating was the character of Tony, possibly the most arrogant, pompous, self-righteous ass who has ever graced modern literature.  And the author condones him and his behavior!  He's right, don't you see?  He's a macho guy, the omni present voice of reason and knowing what's right for everyone.  The other infuriating part of this novel is the author's treatment of Faye, the heroine.  Because she's &quot;fiesty, independent and outspoken&quot;, she is repeatedly referred to as &quot;difficult to HANDLE&quot; and &quot;a real handful&quot;.  Excuse me, but is Ms. Moore saying that women need to be &quot;handled&quot;?  Apparently so, since we're told that Faye has really &quot;met her match&quot; in this Tony loser.  I think that a man with those same characteristics would be praised as a real go-getter, aggressive and accomplished.  Why the author has strong-willed Faye succumb to Tony's blackmail and bullying is WAY beyond me.  And the way the novel ended?  COME ON!  She has made the smart, strong willed man the hero (though she tries to discuss his &quot;faults&quot; to make things appear even), and the woman very introspective and sorry for the way she is... and trying ever so hard to change.  If any man tried to bully and blackmail any smart woman into ruining her own wedding day, I'm pretty sure she'd tell him to shove it far, far up where the sun don't shine - and I can't believe that Faye didn't. A novel for the 21st century?  I don't think so.  If you love chick-lit, read the Shopaholic books or the Nanny Diaries; at least they're well written and FUNNY
Output: NEG
Automotive History . A great book! The author is big on automotive history, so you will know more about the industry and the people that formed it. Walter Chrysler just seems to be the man he tells the story around. I have found interest in other people from this time frame to read about too from this book
Output: POS
Formidable research.  Deeply flawed conclusions. . I genuinely wanted to like this book.  However, the arguments put forward are so deeply biased by Goldhagen's strong views on the subject as to be worth little in granting the reader greater understanding of the Holocaust.  It doesn't read like a history book and I wasn't surprised to learn (afterword) that the author is not a historian.    That said, there is value in reading it.  The book is rich in facts and detail, the result of some indepth research.    However, the way the author uses (and abuses) these facts left me wanting to stop reading in frustration.  The book is filled with 'Post Hoc Ergo Propter Hoc' arguments and mental gymnastics designed to prove Goldhagen's hypothesis.    Millions of non-Jewish victims are for the most part ignored in this work, but it still can be worth a read.  But, only if you are not put off by reptitive, awkward prose and are prepared to seperate the rich collection of data from the author's emotionally driven interpretations
Output: NEG
Splendid narrative of a horrific catastrophe . This is a true McCullough masterpiece. Written in his usual flowing prose, he recounts the events leading up to possibly the most catastrophic natural disaster to date in American history.     On May 31, 1889 the dam at the South Fork fishing and hunting club burst following torrential rains of some 6-8 inches. His vivid description of the aftermath, death and suffering is chilling. He provides recounts of several individual and family experiences that are touching to say the least.     The events leading up to the disaster are vividly delineated as well. The South Fork fishing and hunting club was established by a small group of super-elite Americans (e.g. Carnegie). The club was situated up the valley from Johnstown, Pennsylvania. The dam that held the lake fished by the elite suffered the brunt of much scrutiny in the years preceding the disaster. Many argued that it's poor design and integrity made it vulnerable to giving way in the event of heavy rains. The dam bursting was talked about for years preceding the event. Many joked about it, but most thought such a calamitous event to be highly unlikely.    Following a late Spring holiday parade in 1889, the "impossible" occured. The dam gave way, and the lake entered the valley, sweeping locomotives, train tracks, woods, houses, stores along with it. Entire small communities were enveloped by the heap of muck and debris on the way to Johnstown. The death toll was some 2200. McCullough paints vivid pictures of the event itself as well as the suffering in the aftermath. The corpses and muck posed and immense public health threat, with a typhoid outbreak following the disaster.     The blame was quickly placed on the elite members of the South Fork fishing and hunting club for neglecting upkeep on the dam that held their precious little weekend and holiday reserve. It's a tale of early conspicuous consumption, and disturbing to find that the wealthy members of the club refused to take blame for anything.    Along the way, McCullough provides historical detail of the industrial revolution in its beginnings. The development steel mills, railroads, refineries, labor conditions, and business dealings of the financially elite are all intertwined in his recount of Johnstown.    Also, details of death counts at the make shift morgues, financial support during the aftermath (President Harrison sent a personal check in the amount of $300.00) and a list of the names of the dead bring the story to life for the reader. Eerie recounts of coroners' descriptions of corpses in their logs will make your skin crawl.    Clara Barton began organizing the American Red Cross in 1881. She had worked on more minor floods in the valley prior to 1889. Her work at Johnstown earned her dinner with the President Harrison in Washington following her five months of pure dedication in Johnstown.    This is a fantastic book. The Katrina disaster sparked my interest and I was not disappointed. If only Clara Barton were head of the Red Cross during the Katrina aftermath..
Output: POS
SICK AND DISSAPOINTING . Don't buy this book unless you would like to imagine the male character (who is supposed to be a 2000 year old very powerful vampire) been raped by 3 elder female vampires over and over until the end of the book.
Output: NEG
Disappointing :( . I enjoyed the movie Claire of the Moon, but when I read the book I found it to be a bit sophomoric.  I am not a fan of "cookie cutter" type novels and She Walks in Beauty would definately fall into that catagory in my opinion.  Even if I had mounds of free time I would not spend much of it on this book, it's an extreme let down.
Output: NEG
BOOK NOT PUBLISHED . THIS BOOK WAS PRE-ORDERED AND HAS NOT YET BEEN PUBLISHED, TO MY KNOWLEDGE.  YOU NEED TO CHECK YOUR COMPUTER
Output: NEG
A great read for primates of all types . I only discovered Edgar Rice Burroughs by accident a couple of years ago when I picked up a copy of this book "just because".  It turned out to be far better and far cooler than any expectations I might've had.    If you think you know Tarzan and haven't read this, I've got news for you.  YOU DON'T KNOW TARZAN.  He's a hundred times more savage and a thousand times more interesting than all those movie versions of the character.  He's also surprisingly complex and sympathetic even as he slaughters nearly everything that crosses his path.  I'm amazed this book was written nearly a hundred years ago.  It's so graphic and unapologetic for Tarzan's bestial nature.    That said, there are a few small flaws.  Elements of the plot can be a bit contrived, but since it usually serves to get to more action, I can forgive that.  Burroughs's writing, while still engaging, is a little stilted by today's standards.  And it doesn't end with Tarzan getting Jane.  That's the story of "The Return of Tarzan".    Not ending in a book ALWAYS bugs me.  I hate cliffhangers.  I don't need to be blackmailed to read the next one.  You can read this book and enjoy it without reading the others.  Still, even the great Edgar Rice Burroughs loses a star for this flaw because I REALLY HATE CLIFFHANGERS.  Sorry, Eddie.    Do yourself a favor and pick this up.  It might ruin you for other so-called adventure stories, but it's worth it
Output: POS
Obvious ideas . I was forced to read this book because of a teacher of mine, for a topic at the university. She came to the classroom with this book, as if it were the ultimate guide on teaching. First of all, I thought it's not a topic for the kind of subject we were having/discussing in the classroom. Secondly, the things the authors wrote are so obvious, at least for some persons, that all I can say is that I really had a very good time reading it as a comic book, nothing else. I laughed very much with all the explanations a teacher would give to a 7 or 9 year-old pupil, because he touched her on the arm. It was a lecture, not a simple explanation! Clearly we have to be polite, encouraging and nice towards the students. But this book really exagerates some points in such a foolish way, that I could only laugh. I never had problems with students in my classes, I always tried to encourage them to like the subjects; I am sure they learned many things, as well as I learned from them, too. This book was just a waste of time.  The worst thing is that the teacher I am talking about, the one who came to the classroom telling how wonderful the book is, doesn't practice what the book preaches! She is hated at the university and never behaves as the book says to. How is it possible? She didn't learn anything from it???   Maybe it's good for people who are starting a teaching career - then I would say read it, but even though I would be very cautious. But being recommended by someone who does exactly the contrary than the book states, I could imagine it wouldn't really be that good.
Output: NEG
Don't buy this book . If you'd like to lose your Internet account, make lots of enemies, and generally prove to everyone that you have no conscience or morals, by all means follow the directions in this book. But don't buy it. Just stand in the bookstore and read it, if you absolutely feel the need to know what it's abou
Output: NEG