niryuu/sni-each-converted huggingface dataset:
Poisonous Misinformation . The most depressing thing about a book like this is not the outrageously inaccurate content, but, based on the high ratings and adulatory comments by other reviewers, that most people actually believe this drivel. How can we possibly form an effective energy policy when the citizenry are not only uninformed but ill-informed? The answer is that we cannot. I will not bother to go through a detailed criticism, not only because it would take an almost book length document to do it, but because, in the highly politicized atmosphere we live in, no one would believe it. Today, the "truth" depends much more on one's political views than on an objective evaluation of the evidence.
Output: NEG
Nothing That's Not In Other Books . There's nothing in this book that isn't in many other photography books.  Much of the book is taken up with definitions and discussion of equipment and techniques, rather than approaches to creativity (as is implied by the sub-title of the book).  The photos are far from inspiring.  I didn't learn anything from this book
Output: NEG
Readalbe but junky . Timeline is equivalent to a 99 cent taco. It's an indulgent bit of junk food.  Timeline starts with a Hillerman-esque scientist turning up in the middle of New Mexico - an intriguing idea, but goes to the land of mediocracy right after that filled with cartoon characters.  There are so many preposterous story elements that it's just really difficult to take seriously. The story is ever-predictable and ludicrous.  But, a 99 cent taco is worth the effort if you're real hungry.  Go back and read Andromeda Strain.
Output: NEG
AL BUEN ENTENDEDOR... . Esta novela es a la literatura lo que la planta nuclear de Chernobyl es al medio ambiente
Output: NEG
Knitting has always been an important social responsibility . This book is a wonderful examination of the social history of knitting.  Knitting for family has always been a requirement of any woman.  But, this book revels how woman across America knitted items in support of the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, WWI and WWI.  In fact, there is currently a program to knit scarves in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.  Knitting for charity is also discussed.  When our governments can not, or will not, provide for the needy; American's women have
Output: POS
Worth it just for the pictures . But the simple drawing technique is also useful. Great if you want to paint or draw expressively. The pictures are inspiring
Output: POS
More than dated... . More Than Human is one of those books that has garnered high praise from the science fiction community because of its strong prose and original ideas.    The writing is often compared to that of Faulkner but I wouldn't make that connection having read a few of Faulkner's works.  Sturgeon uses many of Faulkner's narrative trademarks (i.e. streaming conscious, first person perspective of low IQ individuals, disorienting changes in first person narrative) but I didn't feel the net effect really compared to say something like As I Lay Dying.    I love science fiction books and the readers in general love the genre which is why they want it to be taken seriously.  This results in undue adulation and comparisons to mainstream books.  More Than Human is slow, dated and not what I would describe as genre transcending nor would I recommend it to others.  So the idea might of been original in the 50's but topics like telekenesis, ESP, computer-brain babies, and self produced morality and ethos have all been tackled more successfully in other science fiction classics before (Asimov) and since.  This book rarely set off that wow! button in my head or kept me turning pages.  This book simply did not have enough meat in it to make it anything more than mediocre at best.    In 1953 there were 5 Hugo Award nominees for best science fiction book (Determined in a retro hugo award ballot in 2004)  The Retro Hugo awards are fascinating because the voting (in this example) takes place 50 years later so the impact of the book on society can't really be ignored.  Besides More Than Human, the far superior The Caves Of Steel, Childhood's End, and Farenheit 451 were among the other entries in a banner year for classic sci-fi.  Needless to say, More Than Human did not win (Farenheit 451 did and rightfully so)    Bottom Line:  I wanted to like this book and it doesn't surprise me that others give it such high praise.  These are probably people that don't read other genres enjoy congratulatory wankfests
Output: NEG
Too much . This book places too much emphasis on spending money instead of eating...well if we all had money to burn that would be a wonderful lifestyle.  Read "The Fat Fallacy" instead, it provides much more practical information
Output: NEG
Scholarly Insights into the Book of Acts . The late Dr. F.F. Bruce was a well respected biblical scholar and his commentaries and books have greatly benefited the Church of Christ.  It is no different than with this work on the Book of Acts.      This book falls in line with the rest of the New International Commentary on the New Testament edited by Gordon Fee.  The NIC is a solid evangelical commentary on the New Testament with the differing opinions stated in the works (see Revelation for example).  Dr. Bruce has gone to great lengths to point out the differences among evangelicals in Acts.  The commentary itself is full of Greek word studies, historical and geographical points, maps, and solid exegesis of every passage in Acts.    My only drawback with this work on Acts as well as the other works of the NICNT is that they are not laid out in expository outlines.  It would be helpful if every section was given an expository outline to help the reader when moving through the sections of the Scriptures that the authors are working through.  For a better expository outline see the commentaries of John MacArthur or John Phillips
Output: POS
sweetness! . I am loving this book, but let's get one thing straight.  This is not a cupcake book, as the cover would lead you to believe.  In fact, I only saw one reference to a cupcake from a regular layer cake recipe, even though it is written by one of the owners of New York's famed Magnolia Bakery, which has gained notoriety for its cupcakes.  At any rate, the recipes contained in this book are pure magic.  So far I have made the white layer cake with chocolate chips and peanut butter icing (as suggested), and it was quite a hit with friends and family.  Other recipes I'm going to try in the next few days are the sour cream coffee cake and the buttercup golden layer cake.  This book is all about making things from scratch like they did in the olden days, but you could also mix and match homemade cakes with store-bought icing or vice-versa.  Read the introductory section with tips and pay attention to the details (e.g., use cake flour instead of all-purpose or self-rising, use butter/sour cream at room temp., etc.), which will make all the difference.  The section with icing recipes is short but covers a variety of flavors.  It's definitely not an Atkins-friendly cookbook or any of that, so you know it's good for your sweet tooth!  I would definitely recommend this book to any baker, novice or expert, and am looking forward to buying 'The Magnolia Bakery Cookbook' (co-authored by Appel) next
Output: POS
Excellent!  Heart Warming, tear-jerker . This book made me realize that there are still good people in this world.  When everything seems to be going wrong and hatred between mankind seems to be the controlling factor in society, it helps to see the generosity of selfless people
Output: POS
Great Topic - Terrible Presenation . Well, I just had to try another Dr. Phil book, since it has been a number of years since I read Life Strategies. To be honest, even though he can be a polarizing figure, I have nothing against him. I think his TV is a source of help and inspiration for thousands of people.    This book however, was a real struggle to complete. It was not coherently structured, and the author kept saying things like "This book will show you...." all the way through the book. It felt like I never left the "Introduction" and he was continually trying to convince me (or himself) that this book really would eventually get to the point and that the point would be profound. Instead it really couldn't ever get moving and instead often relied on crass language as a weak attempt to get the reader's attention.    Fret not! There are other books out there that tackle the same general issue, but are far better reads. I recommend:    1. Failing Forward, by John C. Maxwell  2. Today Matters, by John C. Maxwell    Again, I have no issue with the author, and applaud his efforts. However, in writing a review to my fellow Amazon customers, I must strongly recommend that you spend your time on more impactful literature within this genre. Best of success to you in reaching your goals
Output: NEG
Don't waste your time! . Don't waste your time or money on this book.  It was about as interesting as watching paint dry!  Maybe Danielle Steel should take a break from writing if this is all she can churn out
Output: NEG
Try not to drown... . If there were a dictionary of queer literature Radclyffe Hall would certainly have a place, somewhere between "Hall, Maurice" and "Hallward, Basil". She deserves this for having written a taboo-breaking novel. She does not deserve this for writing a particularly good one.    When I started reading this book I thought I was going to like it a lot more than I did in the end; I thought Stephen as a child was an adorable little gentleman and I liked the relationship between her parents and how it influenced her life. When I reached her first girlfriend, however, a married woman named Angela Crossby, I was at the edge of the abyss without knowing it.    I realize this book is a product of its time, but never in my life have I heard so many cliches and stereotypes about lesbians - sorry, inverts - from a woman who was a lesbian herself. Inverts have terrible nerves. Inverts wrongly cling to religion. A "real" female invert is masculine and a "real" male invert is feminine, whereas their "normal" lovers are truly heterosexual.    More drama and angst are crammed into the last few chapters of the book than I would have thought possible, and the ending - which I will not reveal - comes out of nowhere and contradicts the personalities of Stephen and her lover Mary as they have been previously established. Anyone with an interest in queer literature should read this to satisfy their curiousity, and to deepen their appreciation for better-written and more realistic fiction. Someone who wants a good novel with an intense romance should not
Output: NEG
Seaside . Great book to use in the classroom.  Beautiful illustrations. I have done a lot with Klimt in the classroom and this book will really help the young children enjoy him even more. And maybe inpsire lots of their own masterpieces
Output: POS
A valid and persuasive discussion . Professor Eagleton takes no prisoners in this thorough albeit short critique on the theories of postmodernism. Focus is placed on postmodernism's general theories in relation to philosophy and political theory as opposed to postmodernism's contribution in the arts and architecture. This, in fact, could well be the subject of an entirely new book, however, aesthetics, in this case, is not Eagleton's main concern.     It probably should be stressed that a general knowledge of philosophy, postmodern theory and political science would be advantageous before cracking this text, however, someone with only a slight awareness of these subjects could push through the book (dictionary in hand) without too much difficulty.     By definition, post modernism is hard to define, as it claims no foundational tenets: it is more a method or perspective against established ideas in philosophy. As Eagleton writes, "It is animated by the critical spirit, and rarely brings to bear upon its own propositions." (P.26)      From a socio-political standpoint, postmodern theories are part of a culture of "unmaking". It can be characterized as a rejection of all "metanarratives" or "grandnarratives"; a protest of modernisms inclusion into the established order of the `canon', a snubbing of intellectual elites, a blurring between high and low art, where Bart Simpson sits comfortably with Shakespeare. I would characterize it as a cynical "anti" position on just about any idea that claims validity or application in society. The key principles of all postmodern theories include: "...decreation, disintergration, deconstruction, decentrement, displacement, difference, discontinuity, disappearance, demoralization and delegitimation." (Post Modern Theory, Best, Kellner, 1991)     In one respect, Eagleton applauds postmodernism's huge body of work over a short time, and its stubborn demystification of natural institutions and conventions, though, criticises its blatant lack of self-criticism and ability to offer any alternatives after its deconstruction of all other theories. There is a certain feeling of excitement and freedom after reading such postmodern luminaries as Derrida, Lyotard or Kristiva, but after wading through their dense and at times "cult-like" prose, one is left with the feeling of utter nihilism, realising that these theories are empty rhetoric, that over three thousand years of human progress was all a lie, a "grand-narrative" to keep us chained.     For the most part Eagleton criticises postmodern theory against the theories of Marxism and socialism, and does a remarkable job revealing postmodernism's na?ve, almost adolescent view of the present world situation.    He concludes that postmodern end-of-history thinking gives us no future other than the present. That there are many possible futures, including fascism: how would postmodern theory shape to such a future? In my opinion, not too well.    This book is a valid discussion and a persuasive argument on the many pitfalls of postmodern theory.
Output: POS
DO NOT READ THIS THIS IF YOU ARE UNFAMILAR WITH THE SUBJECT . This book is written assuming that you already know what went on, and fails to explain the details. I know that Carlyle was trying to re-invent the way we write history, but the book is practically unreadible
Output: NEG
The return of cruelty and oppression . The brave Anna Politkovskaya reveals the reality of Russia today in this sad, sometimes horrifying book. After a brief window period of freedom under Yeltsin, Russia has rapidly become a vast swamp of corruption, oppression and deception under Putin.     Politkovskaya tells of the trouble and suffering of ordinary people who are humiliated and exploited by the criminal nomenklatura. For example Nina Levurda, who in trying to establish the truth about her son's death in the Chechen War, became a victim of this system that when not cruel, is completely indifferent to the individual. This and other cases are discussed in the chapter My Country's Army And Its Mothers.     In Russia, people imitate the man at the top, thus Putin is the one who shapes Russian society. It is mainly he who is to blame for the brutality and extremism prevalent in the army and the state apparatus. There are sections dealing with war criminals, brutality against privates in the military, government complicity in crime, the corruption in the judiciary, the struggle to survive in places like Kamchatka, and racism against people with a non-Slavic appearance.     Russia's stability is of a monstrous type, where power means everything, few people hold the law in any regard, bribes keep business and the state running, and a free press has almost disappeared. Putin's bureaucrats have taken corruption to new records, unheard of even under Yeltsin or the Communists. As a lieutenant-colonel who never made it to the rank of colonel, he has the mentality of a Soviet secret policeman. The Yukos affair and the imprisonment of Mikhail Khodorkovsky demonstrate what a vindictive little man Putin is and how he is steering the country towards fascism.     This process of crushing dissent and stifling freedom has been escalating throughout Putin's first presidential term and shows no sign of abating during the second. The Western press has mostly not showed great interest in this slide to oppression in Russia. It is hard not to write Russia off when confronted by the experiences in this book: the deliberate cruelties, the cold indifference and the manipulation of the media. Mercifully there are still people like Politkovskaya and Lev Ponomarev who are brave enough to speak out. This disturbing book concludes with explanatory notes containing references.
Output: POS
useless . This book has no useful information in it.  The pictures are pretty, but I don't spend good money on a book just to look at the pictures.  Even the ideas aren't all that creative. If I had cupboards full of antiques and drawers full of beautiful linens, I wouldn't need a book to tell me how to use them. Other, better books show the same techniques and ideas, and show them with materials more easily available to us mere mortals.     The example that really did me in was the little girl's birthday party... with crocheted lace doilies on the drinks glasses, and all the little girls in Edwardian-style lace dresses.  PLEASE!  You want an example of a pretty child's birthday party, get the Shabby Chic entertaining book
Output: NEG
Not for the solo lawyer; not about marketing, except for the author . I was disappointed by this book.  I am a solo litigation attorney, and I read the book to get ideas on marketing.  It gave me some ideas.  Perhaps the most valuable idea was to focus more on customer service; Dahut has an interesting discussion about exactly what that means and how we can do it better.  By and large, however, this is a book by and for big firm attorneys.  It is about big firm angst and how it can be combated by hiring experts such as Dahut to do extensive consulting work for your firm.  Dahut does not acknowledge, and does not care, that most attorneys are solos or work in small firms, and that we have very different issues than agonizing over whether we have lost our soul by conforming to much to dead firm culture
Output: NEG
satirical chick lit thriller . Ruby Silverman co-owns the celebrity frequented baby store Les Sprogs in exclusive Notting Hill section of London.  She ponders the question that has bother humanity for the past century how does a starlet give birth and immediately afterward look like a perfectly fit marathon runner with a waist in negative numbers.  Ruby has noticed that some of customers give birth and arrive with their newborn as svelte as ever.    However, Ruby is shocked when she notices a customer expected to give birth soon has a flat stomach that the store owner envies.  Her belly begins to think there is something sneaky going on so she begins to follow-up that tantalizing clue.  Soon her efforts lead her to nearby St. Luke's Hospital for the rich and famous where she becomes a bit off her sleuthing path because her prime suspect is a gorgeous doctor.    This satirical chick lit thriller is a fun tongue in cheek tale that grips the audience from the moment that Ruby begins to learns the top secret of starlet pregnancies and never slows down until she uncovers the final piece of evidence.  The story line never takes itself seriously as amateur sleuth extraordinaire Ruby investigates the case that leads her into inquiries with eccentric casting.  Chick lit and contemporary fans will enjoy Sue Margolis' mirth and merriment "mystery".    Harriet Klausner
Output: POS
The Pigman . John and Lorraine are two sophomores who like to make prank calls. When they prank call a man named Angelo Pignati, they quickly become friends. Mr. Pignati is old and could make a great Santa Claus in terms of figure. He likes Bobo the baboon, gourmet food, rollerblading, and pig figures. When Mr. Pignati dies, John and Lorraine feel the only way they can relieve their guilt is to write down what happened in their time together. This is their story
Output: POS
Waste of Time! . I'm SO glad I got this book from the library instead of buying it.  It was worth the 75c hold fee, but not much more.  I was expecting "stuff you can make with whatever small amounts of yarn you have in your stash", but got "stuff you can make with a few skeins of expensive luxury yarns".  There are VERY few projects in here I'd ever consider making.  If I should decide I want to make one, I'll check the book out again, but I won't be buying this for myself or anyone else, ever
Output: NEG
Blair Brown is wonderful . I listened to the unabridged version on tape.  I enjoy audio books because I'm able to work at the same time (I paint).  So I get to feed my desire for great fiction, and get my work done at the same time.      Blair Brown did an incredible job as a narrator. She was able to create a unique "voice" for each character in the story,making  it easy for the reader to keep track of all of the characters from the get go.    However, by the time I got to the end of the tape, I was glad that I at least had painted those six hours instead of wasting my time reading this novel!  I was so disappointed at the end, and found myself really irritated by the main character about three quarters of the way into the story. From the beginning of the story, I was irritated by the character's daughters too.  Also, I was irritated that nothing outwardly seemed to change in Rebecca's life.  OK, she had an arc, but it was all in her head. I found it very unfullfilling.  If I hadn't been passively listening to the story, while doing something else, I probably wouldn't have finished the novel
Output: NEG
The Children Speak . Finally,, this book was just what I have been looking for.  I've been diligently searching for information on how my lesbianism would effect my  daughter and the sterile studies I found just didn't seem to satisfy my  quest.   I found comfort from this book and  in knowing who she becomes  depends on all the  factors of parenting and not just the fact that I'm a  lesbian.  This collection outweighs the studies because the honesty of the  writers provided rare and precious information.  I hope volume two is in  the works and perhaps we will hear from some more artificial insemination  babies.  Thanks to the writers and editors for letting these voices be  heard loud and proud
Output: POS
The Best Fireplace Book . This is the best fireplace book I have seen.  First of all the book has hundreds of beautiful and varied fireplace pictures.  The pictures are great because they show the fireplaces in the home, decorated, and with the home furnishings around them.  They are all warm and inviting although very different.  The text of the book flows well also.  First it helps even a novice decorator find the styles that work with your personality and home.  Then it breaks down fireplace ideas by the different living areas in the house
Output: POS
Not one of Quindlen's best . This book was easy enough to read, it just wasn't what I expected from Quindlen.  I usually find her writing style and her way of thinking about things so captivating, in this book I really did not find either of those traits to stand out.  The back-and-forth from current day to the past was somewhat confusing, and sometimes I was in the middle of a paragraph before I realized this paragraph was a jump to the past, whereas the previous paragraph was present time.  Although I got used to that writing style, I always found it annoying.  The storyline itself never sold me either: a typical, young "sew-your-wild-oats" boy finds a baby and decides to keep it and is the "perfect" father. I just did not find such an occurrence likely.  And, as a mother myself, all the times he either left the newborn alone or took it with him while he labored on the land just made me squirm. Anyway the whole story seemed far-fetched and disjointed to me, and a disappointment especially since I have been a Quindlen fan for many, many years
Output: NEG
Can't understand after review it again. . This book is very vague. I found the main characteristic of Prof. Tanenbaum's book is that he likes to use abstract algebra to deliver his example. For example, in chapter 1 he talks about Languages, Levels and VM. He uses L0, L1, L2 to represent languages and M0, M1, M2 to represent virtual machine. For people already have prior knowledge of programming such as C, Java, when they read this they could easily reference to something they have already studied, but for me I still can not relate them very well. In contrast, in Randal E. Bryany & David O'Hallaron's book, the beginning of book gives out a concrete example: the C programming Language. I found the latter always work better even after took the architecture course two years later.    My point is for people who want to have clear idea of real world, you should pick another book. This book might be suitable for architecture theory(hopefully).
Output: NEG
Conscious Eating is the Best of the Best . This book contains an incredible wealth of information on how to heal minor to major disorders, greatly improve your health and happiness, and I expect greatly extend one's life span using diet and nutrition.    This book is far more than a comprehensive nutritional guide, it is a blend of ayervedic medicine, spirituality, theology, philosophy, ancient wisdom, and natural healthcare, blended with reams of the latest scientific data from pioneers in the medical establishment.    [...
Output: POS
Needed a change and this was the perfect guide! . I knew I needed a change in life and a new career. But I new it needed to be something that paid decent and would give me job security.  So I bought this book, read about the different fields and then handed it over to my teenage daughter to get her thinking about her future....This book guided me in the right direction and now I am in school and will graduate in early 2008. I will have job security and a decent salary until I retire.  If you are interested in the medical field then this book is a great guide in helping you decide what you would like to do and how much education you need, where to go to school and what exams you must pass.  Great book for those looking for a career change or just thinking of trying something else in life
Output: POS
Fantastic revealing look into the human soul . Laskowski creates a amazingly insightful and poignant look into the  mind and spirit of a man with a brain injury who lives in a group  home in Montana.  The novel explores Robert's relationships with his caregivers, his parents, his son, and his peers in prose that is honest, thorough, and poetic.  Beyond being just a book about brian injury, this is a book about the general human condition, about someone wanting to be the best he can be, about someone trying to relate meaningfully with parents and child, about someone trying to navigate succesfully our confusing postmodern world.  A must read
Output: POS
A witty, tongue-in-cheek romp. . Out on the Rim starts out delightfully enough.  The year is 1986, the place Washington, D.C.  Sixty year old counterterrorism expert Booth Stallings is hired by persons unknown to deliver a $5 million bribe to a troublesome Filipino rebel leader.  But Stallings does not see himself as a mere delivery boy.  He'd much rather get his hands permanently on the 5 million.  Knowing he'll need some help and after consulting with his lawyer son-in-law, he takes on as partners Artie Wu and Quincy Durant.  Two lifelong friends who know their way around both the Far East and other people's money.  By the time he gets to Manila, Stallings finds that he has four partners, not two.  You see, a con man named Otherguy Overby and an ex-Secret Service agent named Georgia Blue have cleverly insinuated themselves into the mix.  Out on the Rim is an entertaining and complex tale of intrigue.  There's plenty of double crossing and lots of unexpected alliances turn up.  In fact, about two thirds of the way through, the complications start to get a bit out of hand.  And that is the book's main flaw.  Written with wit and urbane humor, Out on the Rim is deliciously engaging.  But the number of twists and turns could have been 50% less without detracting at all from the fun.
Output: POS
Outdated living on a shoestring . As you may have been reading in the other reviews, this book is very different.  Most of the suggestions are wacky, and really could only save you pennies to say the least.  Once in awhile, the suggestions are okay, if you own a home (which I don't because I don't have money) but if you followed every suggestion in the book you would be the laughing stock of your community.  There are much better books on the market for the purpose this book is supposed to serve.  If only they would update it, it wouldn't be half bad.  I mean, they talk about going to the library to use internet when almost everyone has internet on their phones nowadays and other wierd "hints" that just don't make sense.  They spend a whole section on just organizing your bills and putting them in places like a shoe organizer or an empty cereal box because this will help you save money.    Real frugal people would just save their money and skip the book to read something that will actually help you
Output: NEG
An Excellent Police Thriller! . If you only read one book in the Shane Scully series, this book should be it! It offers a storyline unlike the same-old, same-old cop stories one gets used to
Output: POS
Same old coverage . I was sorely disappointed in this book.  I went by other reader's recommendations and I'm at a loss as to why it's got a 5-star rating.  I was, and still am, looking for a source that will get past the theory &amp; history and describe how to complete the process: What do you do after you've baselined &amp; have to produce a build
Output: NEG
Before you swallow the hype read all of the reviews! . I totally agree with the couple of reviews where the book was sent back to Amazon. Some of the reviews are positively glowing and just why is beyond my comprehension, The book offers (as do most watercolor instruction books)considerable  sound advice about supplies and composition etc etc etc but the pictures SUCK! It is difficult for me to believe this is a professional artist (presuming  making a living on this humdrum output.) She has a vey limited palette mostly autumnal browns and golds and mostly very small (8x8 and 12x12) pictures that are a hash and rehash of weeds leaves and branches,,sometimes a watercolor book is so astoundingly beautiful it is worth having just to admire the pics,,,well,,,not this one! Totally ripped off is the feeling given,
Output: NEG
Actually, this book is terrible . I just picked up the guitar again -- I played guitar briefly, and very badly, years ago -- and was hoping for a quick refresher course and a little more. This book, alas, is just terrible. The organization is illogical and confusing, important topics are given very short shrift while unimportant stuff fills page after page. Most of the book could charitably be called filler. The book is terrible as a reference book as well; useful stuff like scales and chord diagrams are scattered about the book, and many of the diagrams are hard to make sense of. (He doesn't even explain the correct tuning for the guitar until page 170, in a section on how to play slide guitar -- I had to look it up on the internet.) I chucked the CD into the trash. For scales, I found "The Ultimate Scale Book" to be about a zillion times better.
Output: NEG
Abner Kneeland . To prove America is a Christian nation David Barton cites the little known blasphemy conviction of Abner Kneeland. During the 1830s Kneeland,a former Universalist turned pantheist, was sentenced to sixty days in a Boston jail for ridiculing the deity of Christ. Barton cites Commonwealth v. Abner Kneeland as example of how early American jurisprudence defended Christianity.     Either David Barton is a sloppy scholar or he is a man with a scary agenda. Does Barton believe that state governments should have the power to jail people for stating religious opinions contrary to his? Why else would he cite the Kneeland case?   Kneeland should only be a curious anachronism, not a legal precedent.
Output: NEG
Needs Editing . This is a fast-paced book with all the formulaic elements required of a political thriller. Nothing here particularly surprised me. I would guess that if you have enjoyed Mr. Flynn's other works you will enjoy this one as well.    Mr. Flynn needs a more assertive editor. His use of language is so sloppy as to distract a reasonably sensitive reader from the finer points of the story. This probably isn't detrimental to the reader's comprehension, but it is irritatng.    Finally, one very minor quibble: non-standard spellings are used throughout (such as "harken" rather than "hearken"). This may or may not matter to any given reader, but I found it to be worthy of mention
Output: NEG
A comic gem! . 'The Dog of the South' is a perfect novel. This sounds like hyperbole. It is short; there is very little in the way of plot; the characters do not develop in any way: yet the book is as engaging and entertaining as anything I have ever read. Before embarking on my second reading (just a fortnight after I finished my first) I planned to write down my favourite lines from the book. I gave up because I was transcribing almost the entire novel. No synopsis can do it justice. Ray Blount, Jr. has said of this book that 'no-one should die without reading it.' I'm with him all the way
Output: POS
A Nostalgic Classic . This is a beautiful book. It is reminiscent of the images and style of children's books published at the time when Disney originally released SLEEPING BEAUTY. This is a real tribute and a cherished edition to have from one of Disney's best and often overlooked fairy tale classics. It has a real place in my heart
Output: POS
Brain Sex . Excellent,based in scientific research. It is not a "sexual book" but a well written book about hormones,thinking, acting and why men and women  are different
Output: POS
Not Anne Rice at her best... . I may be repeating what others have said in previous reviews, but I just had to vent over this book. After reading Interview with the Vampire, and the other Vampire Chronicles before Merrick, I was highly disappointed over this book. The action and references to Voodun were vague and boring. The book revolves around a plot concocted by David Talbot and Louis the Vampire to use Merrick in order to contact the ghost of Claudia. Then, the book moves into this tedious tangent over the life of Merrick Mayfair, a character Anne Rice fails to develop as a complex individual. The action in this book is cheesy, typical, and EXTREMELY predictable. The book introduces characters that are related to Merrick, and it is not difficult to guess the fate of these characters as a reader. The vampires are barely portrayed as the mysterious, yet dangerous, and bloodlusting characters they once were in the previous novels. The vampires in Merrick, especially Louis, are portrayed as weak and gutless. Yes, Louis is a tortured soul, but his portrayal is severely watered down in this novel, and his weak nature is irritating to read about. Compare the vampires in Merrick to the same vampires portrayed in Queen of the Damned, like the characters of Akasha and Kayman, who enjoyed "devouring the marrow from their victims' bones". The vampires in Anne Rice's previous books captured the reader's attention with their viciousness, and vengeaful, yet human qualities. Anne Rice did not seem to balance these qualities in the novel Merrick as she did in her others. The action in this novel is painfully slow and without direction. The book is also full of references to David's annoying, perverse tendencies that were written merely to try to increase book sales. Skip this novel, and move on to one of her other vampire chronicles, preferrably her early novels. This just does not cut it
Output: NEG
not what was presented . while the history of Roger Bacon was interesting and the  other historic figures(Aristotle, Soccrates, etal) I was expecting more about the actual manuscript and how it was deciphered and those around that quest. Instead the book spends over 2/3s relating stories of how various famous figures interacted, political climates and philosophies. This is nice background but it could have been shortened, in this reader's humble opinion.    If you want to know more about the Manuscript, look to another book.
Output: NEG
Save your money . I thought this book would provide more insight on kitchen appliances and ways to downsize but cook different meals. The recipes were awful in my opinion and I would not want to eat them even at home, much less on the open road. A few good hints but not at the price of buying the book brand new
Output: NEG
Disorganized . Abolsutely one of the worst self-help books I have read. There isn't any structure, and it's not simplistic. The advice given is helpful but the authors then reverse the whole deal. Its like one chapter says this will be helpful, and then another chapter says it wont. It just goes all over the place and you cant really follow what the authors are trying to get at.        A book I highly reccemend for anxiety and depressive related disorders is "Feel the fear and do it anyway" Much more simplistic, easier to read and get thru. And much more cheerful.         I also dont like that these authors have seperated anxiety and depression from one another. I guess they do have a new book coming out that combines them both. It will be interesting to see if they have learned anything from their last two failures.         But for someone that wants quick and easy advice, this book is certainly not for them. I'm afraid that this book of jargon will make it more confusing.
Output: NEG
The Only Book You Will Need! . I became a first time homeowner 2 years ago and I didn't know anything about gardening.  My friend recommended this book to me and it has been very educational.  It is the only book I reference when planning my garden.  This book is broken down by topic: Perennials, Annuals, Trees, Shrubs, etc.  It explains the differences between all the flowers and what environment is best for each flower/shrub/vine/trees.  The pictures are great!  There are pictures of almost every plant he describes. I have able to choose my flowers to plant each season from the book so when I go to the nursery I know exactly what I need
Output: POS
Better than Roark's Formulas for stress &amp; strain. . This book has a lot of information most of which is useless calculus integration with vary brief summery which seems to me being derived from other books just thrown into the mix with general categories. The book is basically an oversized machinery's handbook but with a poorly written index and with a lot of inapt formulas that don't have a explanation for formula variables used in the equation.  If you do a lot of strength of material design I would suggest a machinery's hand book, or the McGraw Hill Mechanical Engineering Design book which is an excellent P.E. exam reference book. Stay away from the Roarks Formulas for stress &amp; strain book its more poorly written then the Marks
Output: NEG
Living large with an opionated dog . If I had used the "make the dog obey" theories and techniques on my opinionated male Great Dane, he wouldn't be here today. He is too big for me to "make" him do anything. He is also a sensitive beast and needs encouragement not punishment. I had to find ways that did 2 things: make it easier for him to do what I asked and offer him the rewards that HE values. Pat Miller's book showed me how to do that.    Pat's book gives the theory and the practical steps to apply to your dog. One book cannot cover ALL possible situations but as the basic primer for most dogs and their humans, this one does the job.    This book is the one at the top of my list. It's for people new to dogs and to those who want a way to train themselves and their dog into a more comfortable and complementary relationship
Output: POS
This will BORE you to death! . Im a regular reader of Forbes Magazine, and theres nothing i love more then reading about inspirational stories of entrepreneurs, businessmen, tycoons etc so i picked up this book thinking its by "Forbes" so it must have some great stories. I also rely on Amazon.com reviews for my purchases, so everything i say is from the bottom of my heart...    But im sorry you would not believe how BORING this Book actually turned out to be. The writing style of Daniel Gross, is well "Grossly Boring", Unispirational, unmoving and generally a waste of your money and time.     As far as im concerned:    This Book will NOT inspire you, It will not motivate you, it wont even make you appreciate the Great accomplishments of the very people it writes about.     It is a diservice to the personalities it talks about, and is a diservice to Forbes. Very disapointed, im just hoping to flog it for whatever i can get.     Finally i would advise anyone who is genuinely interested in the personalities this Book writes about to do a GOOGLE search and read about them from there, because you will probably learn and appreciate more that way.
Output: NEG
Happiness : A Guide to Developing Life's Most Important Skill . This is a scientific review of the Buddhist guide to a happy life.  Adds great credence to this approach and the Buddhist philosophy.  Ricard was part of the research and is a practicing Buddhist.  A good book to reread many times
Output: POS
Excellent application of the MBTI to relationship dynamics . Despite its somewhat maudlin title and front cover, this book is very interesting. It based on Jungian MBTI theory which in my view is a very powerful tool for understanding people's personality. The book itself is not theoretical: it gives a brief description of the 16 types and then there is a couple of pages for each of the 136 possible combinations. Much has been printed about the MBTI, but this one has a very interesting practical approach. For each combination, you find a paragraph on the strengths, a paragraph on the weaknesses, and a short list of key recommendations for each partner. Even if you know everything about Jungian psychology you can still discover some new insights on personality relationships. For the anecdote, my INTJ recommendation list (with my ESFJ wife) is a pretty goood summary of everything I do wrong at home
Output: POS
Warning this book is intended to make martyrs . Guerrilla Warfare: Che Guevara  by Ernesto Guevara    Warning this book seems intended to make martyrs    Over the years this book has proved far more useful to mislead potential guerrillas than to educate them.  The handmade weaponry described are ineffective and or failed tools of war. The tactics suggested have led to defeat in the Americas and in Africa. The cause described has never helped the poor and down trodden.  One could readily ponder if the real intent was to make martyrs for the cause of mythical communist paradise. One wonders  how many, aside from the author, died violently because of all the above.
Output: NEG
A Ride on the Descending Road of Modern History . `Singapore Grip' recreates the world of pre-WWII Singapore. Farrell centers his tale around the Blackett and Webb conglomerate based on rubber plantations, but extends to wide-ranging export-import business. Singapore was created to be a trading center for the British Empire and it succeeded beyond any reasonable expectations.     As war edges closer the air of unreality gets thicker. Even when the Japanese attack Malaya in late 1941, these people just don't get it. Singapore Grip explores this world in detail and from many different perspectives. The higher in the colonial hierarchy, the harder it is for reality to penetrate. Walter Blackett, scion and head delusionist is still planning the company's 50th Jubilee while the Japanese are bombing the island and even Singapore town proper.     `Singapore Grip' is a vignette in what Huxley called "the descending road of modern history". The war gathers slowly, life begins to change, but not dramatically at first. But, the vise inexorably tightens and the world of the characters crumbles under the relentless pressure. Escape from the island seems at first an absurd idea, but it gradually becomes ever more desirable until it finally becomes impossible in the crush at the quays.     If you are tempted to turn away from this book, don't. `Singapore Grip' gathers force and clarity as Farrell slowly adds the pieces to his masterful mosaic and the reader is duly rewarded. The book has been recently reprinted in the excellent New York Review of Books Classics series. Highly recommended.
Output: POS
Best thing I ever read! . If you really want to work on your personal and spiritual growth, you will read this book. The author makes it so easy to understand and implement these agreements into your life
Output: POS
Formulaic . I was bored - really bored, which is why I picked this book to read from the free book trade shelves at work.  It has a good basic story but is so formulaic that I was able to predict the ending after the second or third chapter.  Being a medical professional, it was difficult to read about procedures that are outdated now and remember when they were cutting edge.  Perhaps it's also a bit scary to remember those I've worked with in the past who have had the same narcissistic outlooks.      I think I'll pass up the other books by Dr. Cook that I have not read as of  yet.  This is the second one of his that, in my opinion, bombed miserably
Output: NEG
Terrible, Terrible, Terrible!!! . This book is terrible, awful, and immoral and if you love Danielle Steel books (don't bother to read this one).  My fiancee and I love to read to each other and I got angry/mad after reading this book.  I just don't believe that marriage is based on cheating.  I think Danielle Steel may have had one to many drinks while writing this book
Output: NEG
Peter Smith hardcover WARNING!!! . If you're considering buying the Peter Smith "edition" of this book, note that it is NOT a new "edition" in hardcover but the Vintage International edition rebound in red cloth, with the cover of said trade paperback glued onto the front. It looks like it's been rebound for libraries, is the type of thing that's usually not for sale to the general public (. . .) The book is WELL-REBOUND, and may still be worth it to you Cormac McCarthy diehards out there -- it is for me, and ultimately I'm just gonna keep the copy of it I bought, but it's still quite disappointing. Thought you deserved a warning, hope it came in time. McCarthy's a great writer, of course -- feel a little guilty about the one-star, but it's an issue of the edition, not the book
Output: NEG
Aramaic Translation . This translation is excellent for those people who thought, I didnt equate that verse with the character of God. There are no yes and no scriptures and this translation throws new light on the verses that didnt seem right in the King James. Bless God, Knowledge will indeed increase in these last days.
Output: POS
zen keys is lifechanging . i had always had a semi-interest in buddhism, derived from ecstatic readings of 'dharma bums' by jack kerouac (another must-have), but disappointed as i couldnt find 'big sur' at the bookstore a month ago, i chanced upon the religion section, and zen keys shone out on the shelf, i picked it up, read a page of thich nhat hanh's contemplative prose, and immmediately bought and took it home devouring it in my bedroom for hours. Nhat Hanhs compassionate and understanding approach to Zen Buddhism makes learning about it easy, and also very rewarding. his take, which is no ones take at all but rather the truth, about zen makes for free-minded thinking thru the eight negations, mindfullness of everyday life, and the wisdom of the zen masters in the kung-ans at the end of the book. i cannot help but be forever changed by this simplistic yet beautiful overlay of Zen Buddhism. anyone, everyone, Americans and materialism and all, MUST read this, dont lose your life in forgetfullness and apathy and be lost in worldly pursuit, be a monk
Output: POS